Amundsen, Dirk Adrian 1939 - 2024
AMUNDSEN, RIVELAND, BIRDSELL, ESSEX, JONES, SOREIDE
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/31/2024 at 14:58:16
Dirk Adrian Amundsen, 85, of Newton, formerly of Ossian, died on Saturday, May 25, 2024, surrounded by his family at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines after a brief illness.
Dirk was born April 13, 1939, to Donald Lynden and Rosalind Mae (Riveland) Amundsen, in Oskaloosa, IA. He grew up in Ossian, graduated from Ossian Public High School, and attended Luther College and the University of Iowa.
On Feb, 17, 1962, Dirk was united in marriage to Marlys Joyce Birdsell at Ossian’s Stavanger Lutheran Church. They spent the first year of their marriage in Cedar Rapids, where Dirk was employed at Link-Belt Speeder. In 1963, they moved to Calmar. At that time, Dirk began his long career at the Ossian Bee newspaper, working for his father. While in Calmar, they joined the Lutheran Church there. In 1969, they moved to Ossian, and in 1977, he purchased the newspaper from his father. Dirk photographed thousands of community events, as well as South Winneshiek Community School events, especially sporting events. He developed his own pictures, many of which were printed in the Ossian Bee. After 59 years of Amundsen ownership, he sold the Ossian Bee in 2002, and retired.
In their early years of marriage, Dirk and Marlys were foster parents for several children. Dirk was a member of the Elks Club in Decorah and Ossian Lutheran Church. For many years, he was an Ossian Boy Scout troop leader. He also served on the Winneshiek County Conservation Board and on the South Winn Golf and Country Club board in Calmar.
After Dirk’s “retiring,” both he and Marlys were employed for several years at Postville’s Good Samaritan Home. He also worked at Ossian’s Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. In his spare time, Dirk enjoyed golfing, fishing, photography, and gardening.
Dirk was a selfless family man and a pillar of the Ossian community and surrounding area. His hearty laugh could be recognized from a distance.
In 2010, Dirk and Marlys moved to Newton, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He was employed by Rock Communications in Newton for a number of years. At the time of his death, Dirk was a member of First Lutheran church in Newton. Through his church, he and Marlys prepared many meals for the Newton community.
Dirk was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law, Wesley Birdsell and Cletus Birdsell.
Dirk is survived by his wife Marlys of 62 years; son Ross (Kelly) Amundsen of Colfax; daughter Jill (John) Essex of Des Moines; five grandchildren: Bailey, Megan, and Cade Amundsen; Johnnie Essex and Jaye Essex; great-granddaughter Wren Essex; sister Cindy (Jeff) Jones of Madison, Wis.; brother-in-law Virgil (Audrey) Birdsell of Ossian; cousins Larry (Cindy) Riveland of Monona and Gary (Mary Ellen) Soreide of Panora; four nieces and five nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Ossian’s Hillside Cemetery on July 13 at 1 p.m. with a luncheon to follow at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left with Dirk’s family, mailed to Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton IA, or given to a charity of your choice.
Source: Decorah Newwpapers May 29, 2024
Hillside Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen