Dennis F. Dirkes, age 71 of Albany, worked his field and parked his tractor one last time on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at his home in Albany, Minnesota with his constant companion, Sparkie, at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 4 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Dennis was born October 11, 1951 to Florence and George Dirkes, Jr. and lived on the family farm all his life. He was a farmer through and through and found nothing more satisfying than sitting outside his house and seeing his crops grow day by day and enjoying the peaceful serenity of farm living. He was proud of maintaining and improving the family farm which has been in the Dirkes name for over 150 years. It truly was his passion in life. Dennis loved to bowl in his younger years and was an avid fisherman of the lakes nearby. It only seemed fitting that the last task he completed in his life was to drive his tractor from the field and park it one last time. His work was done!
Survivors include his brothers, Dale (Judy), Dan (Judy), Dave (Cindy), Dean (Krista), and Daryl (Lynn); nieces and nephews, Scott, Jeff, Leah, Kayla, Peyton, Presley, Olivia, and Isaiah; great-nieces and nephews, Emmett, Evelyn, Vivian, Gwen, Clara, Braelyn, Aubrey, Kellen, and Brynn.
Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Florence and his father, George, Jr.
Memorials are preferred to donor’s choice.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.