Barbara Leabo Dirks

Barbara Ann Leabo Dirks
of West Des Moines, Iowa

Barbara Dirks, age 79, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023, at home. Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2023, at West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, with a reception to follow.

Barbara was born on June 9, 1944, in Tulsa Oklahoma. She graduated from Independence High School in Kansas, and later attended Washburn. Barbara was an accomplished hairdresser in Raleigh, North Carolina, she worked at Touch of Class in Kansas City, Maitre’d at the KC Club, and later ran the hairdressing shop at Ramsey Nursing Home in Independence. She moved to Des Moines in 1988 and began selling medical supplies for Briggs Corp. Throughout her life, she worked various jobs including PepsiAmericas, Waste Management, and Caring Hearts Home Care.

Barbara had the most compassionate heart and her greatest passion in life was caring for others. She enjoyed seeing her friends at church, listening to music, and making quilts as gifts. Barbara loved fishing and travelling with her husband, Bill. She has many fond memories of skiing in Switzerland, surfing in Hawaii, and especially treasured trips to Yellowstone and Cabo. Barbara loved her Kansas City Chiefs and her dogs, Joey, Buster, Lizzy, Piper, Hank, Sammy, Snickers, and Goldie.

She is survived by her loving husband Bill Dirks, daughters Jennifer Seay-Smith and Melanie O’Donahue, brother Gary (Barbara) Leabo, grandchildren Ashley, Frank, Creighton, Chloeann, James, Remey, and great-granddaughter Cheyenne.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Edd Leabo and Jean Jobe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either West Des Moines Christian Church, APDA American Parkinson Disease Association or Samaritan’s Purse.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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