LARNED — Bruce Dirks passed from this life to the next one on Feb. 14, 2025 at the age of 96. He was born on Jan. 11, 1929 to Elmer and Alyce Dirks at the Larned hospital. When he was two years old the family moved to Cimarron, Kan. and farmed there until they returned to Pawnee County in 1942.

Bruce graduated from Larned High School in 1948. He boxed with the Golden Gloves Boxing Club and then served his country as an infantryman in the Army 2nd Infantry Division while stationed in Korea and was discharged in November of 1952 with the rank of Sargent First Class. On Dec. 26, 1952 he married Barbara Byrd in Tulsa, Okla. He farmed north of Larned and raised his family there. He loved farming and was also active in the community. He served on the Barton County Community College Vocational Advisory Committee, was a member of the Farmers Grain Fuel and Livestock Company board of directors in Pawnee Rock, the Second Infantry Division Association, American Legion, V F W of Larned, Kansas Wheat Commission Board and U.S. Wheat Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Larned since 1960 and served as a session elder and clerk of session. Bruce and Barbara truly enjoyed traveling, visiting many countries and making many new friends. Bruce very much liked working in the garden and was especially proud of his roses which he enjoyed sharing with others. He would always cut them and bring them to Barbara.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara and children Aaron (Jane) Dirks of Stilwell, Kan. and Andrea (Richard) Deckert of Larned; and seven grandchildren, Jake Deckert, Ethan Deckert, Anna Deckert, Chris (Stacy) Dirks, Andrew (Jennie) Dirks, Katie (Derek) Kvasnicka, Stephanie (James) Gregg. There are also nine great-grandchildren, Gabe, Gideon, Elise, Corbin, Linley, Macie, Alexis, Jack and Charlie. He had two nieces, Carol (Denny) Vrooman and Judy (Jess) Cole. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Alyce; and a brother Dean.

Memorial service with military honors will be 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary with Reverend Jack Singer presiding. Service will be viewable via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.  Private inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Kansas Children’s Service League or the Pawnee County Humane Society, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences maybe left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477

Larned, KS 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 18, 2025