Danny Earl Dirk

BURLEY – Danny Earl Dirk, a 72-year-old resident of Burley, died Saturday, September 1, 2018, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

Dan was born October 5, 1945, in Jerome, Idaho, to William "Bill" Dirk Sr. and Sally (Smith) Dirk. He was the fourth of five children. During his childhood, he played hard with his brothers and sisters and learned his parents’ love of camping and fishing. After graduating from Jerome High School, Dan followed in his brother’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Navy. In the Navy, Dan was presented with the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean; visiting Italy and Greece, and during extended leaves he and his squad mates would take the train into Switzerland and Austria. During his time in the Navy, Dan also completed a course in drafting thru correspondence.

In 1968, Dan was honorably discharged from the Navy. He made his way to Burley, Idaho, to start work for Boise Cascade. In 1970, he met and fell in love with his first wife, Julie Doman. One year later, they had a son, Chad. In 1983, Dan married the love of his life, Claudia Del Rosario.

Throughout the years, Dan’s life was filled with hard work and hard play. He chased his passions of woodworking, having made several rolltop breadboxes for family members. He loved his dogs, toy car collecting, and going camping and fishing with his family. He tried his best to pull Claudia and his sister, Sharon, away from every swap meet and yard sale they would stumble across, sometimes bringing home more “treasures” then either of the ladies. He loved exploring the complexities of auto engine repair with his brother-in-law, Clarence, sometimes in success and sometimes in frustration and the clatter of socket wrenches.

Whether it was at a family get-together or playing games with friends, Dan always had an easy going way of looking at life, loving to joke and laugh with those around him. One of his proudest moments was getting to hold his twin grandsons for the first time.

Dan is survived by his son, Chad (Lora) Dirk of Boise; stepson, Craig Del Rosario of Las Vegas, Nevada; two grandsons, Jackson Daniel Dirk and Griffin Henry Dirk of Boise; his siblings, James “Jim” Dirk, William Dirk, Sharon (Clarence) Platt, and Juliene (Dave) Kirk; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his second wife, Claudia; a brother-in-law, Tom Wiebe; his parents; and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 8, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Following the service, friends and family are invited to a piece of pie and coffee at the Wayside Café.