Dirk J. Abels

Dirk J. Abels, 97, of rural Humboldt, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.

He was born on November 13, 1922, near Blairsburg, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Trena (Ohden) Abels. He was raised on a farm near Kanawha and graduated from Corwith High School in 1941. Dirk farmed the family place until retirement, as well as working at AGP Processing Plant in Eagle Grove until 1988.

Dirk loved the outdoors, even at 96 he was happy to mow at the family farm. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed many vacations with them. Pizza get-togethers were a favorite time of fun for everyone. He had a great sense of humor, as well as compassion for others. Faith was a very important part of his life and he felt very blessed. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt.

Dirk is survived by his daughter Marilyn (Kevin) Lehrman of Goldfield, sisters Dorothy Berleen and Rosemond Abels, grandchildren Susan (Shawn) Malek-Zadegan and Bruce (Jerilyn) Kraft both of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Annette Abels (John Easter) of Phoenix, Arizona, Angelique Andrade of Exeter, New Hampshire, Laura (William) Schaffer of Humboldt, Gregory (Courtney) Lehrman of Altoona, great grandchildren Michelle (Trevor) Sidwell, Matthew (Leah) Malek-Zadegan, Allison (Cory) Rigler, Nathan (Priya) Kraft, Clarissa Kraft, Nicholas and Douglas Andrade, Amanda, Jonathon and Emily Schaffer, great-great grandchildren Cedric and Theodore Rigler and Ryker and Thea Sidwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Esther (Clark) Abels, daughter Sharon Kraft, step-son Robert Baxter, brothers Eugene, Earnest and Ralph Abels, his brother-in-law Richard Berleen and his sisters-in-law Dorothy Abels and Doris Abels.

Services will be Monday, March 23rd at the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. It is strongly suggested that only immediate family members attend. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. www.masonlindhart.com