Richard Otto Wirkus, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away on May 3, 2022, at home. He was under the care of Brio Hospice.

Dick "Richard Otto" Wirkus was born May 6, 1935, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Dick is the youngest of 5 children born to parents Emil Otto and Martha Auguste Wirkus who immigrated from Germany post-WW1, settling in the Idaho Falls area. He is the last of his family to return to his father in heaven having been preceded by his parents, siblings and first wife, Mary Ann, and his son Kyle.

Those who were blessed to have known Dick found him to be a kind and caring individual who helped and cared for those around him. Dick always had a way of making those he cared for smile and appreciate their time with him. I think that if the measure of a man is the number of people waiting for a reunion on the other side, Dick cast a big shadow.

Dick served in the U.S. Army in Korea and after returning home he courted and married Mary Ann Hemsley in the ldaho Falls Temple in 1956. Together they raised 7 children. Mary Ann passed on April 7, 1985. Later he met Rosemary Williams and they married in 1986 becoming the father of an additional 6 children. Life at the Wirkus home was never dull and boring. They had many close friends who often stopped to check in on them as they checked in on others.

He is survived by his wife Rosemary; children: Richard, Linda, Connie, David, Dean, Delyn, Nancy, Kleven, Bonnie, Linda, Barbra, and Leslie; He was preceded in death by his son Kyle who passed in 2020; there are 40 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Dick would read the obituaries and as one by one he lost his best friends and neighbors he would state that his name was not listed so he must get back to work. Those friends and neighbors are greeting him now. May we take time in life to get to know others while we all travel on this mortal journey. He greatly influenced the lives of many young men and young women who came through his door.

He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. while not a Sunday kind of church guy, he lived his religion in how he quietly served others. He always had a quick smile and good jokes to share.

The family would like to give a special thank you to all the nurses at Brio Hospice that took such care of their husband and father.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .