Virgil Dimick

VIRGIL "DEAN" DIMICK IDAHO FALLS, ID -- On January 17, 2006, Virgil “Dean” Dimick passed away of natural causes while hunting geese on the American Falls Indian Reservation with his trustworthy black labs, Doc and KC, at his side. Although untimely, all who knew and loved Dean could not have written a better script for him to leave this life. Dean was a great son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Everyone who knew Dean loved him for his fun-loving sense of humor, quick wit, and easygoing disposition. His friends remember him as “one of a kind.” He was never in a bad mood and always had a smile on his face. His zest for life was apparent to all, and he lived his life to the fullest! On November 4, 1940, Dean was born in Montpelier, ID, to Virgil L. Dimick and LaVay Alleman Dimick. He spent his childhood in Montpelier, where with the guidance of his father and older brother DeWayne, he learned how to enjoy the outdoors and acquired his passion and prowess for hunting and fishing. Dean graduated from Montpelier High School in 1959 and attended Idaho State University Vocational Technical School where he received a Certificate in Electronics. Dean married Renee Kunz Wuska on September 3, 1965, in Montpelier, ID. To this union were born Michael Dean Dimick and Nicole Anne Dimick Nelson. They were later divorced. On January 1, 1994, Dean married Donna Kay (Katie) Heinle in Idaho Falls, ID, and they recently celebrated their twelfth wedding anniversary. Dean and Katie are well known as wonderful hosts to their many friends and created beautiful memories camping, golfing, trapshooting, and visiting their children and grandchildren. Dean was hard to beat when it came to cooking in the dutch oven; grilling steaks, fish, and chicken; and even building the “biggest” campfire. With Katie’s flair for festive and creative decorations for each and every holiday, their friends looked forward to visiting their home. To Katie’s delight and at her direction, Dean enjoyed working on their home and became very skilled at painting, installing tile, and wood flooring. Dean was always good and kind to Katie. Dean and Katie were lovingly known as “Beauty and the Beast” to their special friends. With a twinkle in his eye, Dean always asked how she could tolerate them calling her a Beast! Although he enjoyed teasing, Dean was a sensitive man and cared about his family. He was very good to his mother, always calling and checking to see if she needed anything. Katie noted that quality and knew that he would be a great husband and companion. Dean retired September 2004 from Argonne National Laboratory where he worked as an NDA Specialist. He was respected at work and was known for his friendliness and charm. The coffee in Dean’s office must have been better than any other on site, as Dean’s office was noted as the place “to be.” Not everyone considered the coffee as “Starbucks quality,” but still they came, probably more often than they should have. In spite of his good nature, he would not tolerate tardiness, particularly when he was going hunting, fishing, camping, motorcycling, boating, or golfing. He kept everyone on their toes! Everyone enjoyed time spent with Dean and would not chance having him leave them behind. Dean could not have been a more loving father to his children. He was a great dad, and time spent with him will always be cherished. Whether hunting with Mike or showing his sensitive side to Nicole, he always gave his all and let them know that he would always be there for them. Dean assured their happiness, and it was apparent to all that they brought him great joy. This same trend was noted with his stepdaughters, sons-in law, and four grandchildren. He looked forward to seeing them and talking with them on the phone. Dean will always be remembered and forever in our hearts. Survivors are Dean’s wife, Katie Dimick, Idaho Falls; son, Michael Dean Dimick, Idaho Falls; daughter, Nicole Anne (Greg) Nelson, Arlington, WA; stepdaughter, Andrea Dawn (Darrin) Griechen, Spokane, WA; stepdaughter, Christine Noelle Wiggins, Madison, WI; mother, LaVay Dimick, Montpelier, ID; and brother, DeWayne (Sue) Dimick, Liberty, ID; grandchildren, Ashley Jaq Griechen, Olivia Lauren Nelson, Natalie Renee Dimick, Nicolas David Nelson. His father, Virgil, preceded him in death. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Bonneville County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2763, Idaho Falls, ID 83403. __________________________________ Condolences sent: Sheldon K. Hansen (skhansen@cox.net) I received the news of Dean passing away today, Sunday, 01/22/2006. Dean and I were the best of friends in high school, and on into the years when he and Renee lived in Las Vegas. Our lives were filled with good times together, and we even watched the first step on the Moon, at their house in Las Vegas. To his kids and family, you can take great price in being fortuante to have been associated with Dean Dimick. He will be missed, and never forgotten. Thanks also to Renee for calling me to let me know of his passing. Until we meet again . . . Sheldon and Carol Hansen . . . Mesa, Arizona Linda Proctor (jitrbuglinda@direcway.com) Michael, I am so sorry about the untimely death of your dad. He had a short but good life and had a wonderful son in you. Please pass along my condolences to your extended family. Love, Linda Proctor and Jory Proctor Denton Crofts ( dentcrofts@hotmail.com) I was very sad to hear of Dean's passing. It has been a long time, but I still have very fond memories spent with Dean and the entire Dimick family. All my best, Denton Jill Kaiser (jakais@msn.com) I am old friend of Mike Dimick's and wanted to pass along my condolences for the passing of his father. Mike, I wish you and your family the best during this tough time. Jill Kaiser (formerly Glover) Seattle, WA Tim Morishita (conniemo@ida.net) Please accept my condolences for your loss. Although I was not a close personal friend of Dean, he aways had a friendly greeting for me when we passed in the halls at work. We also shared a passion for fishing Henry's Lake, and talked about it often. I always thought it would be a lot of fun to go up there with him. He will be sorely missed and please know that my thoughts are with you. Tim Morishita Karen Arnell Welch (karen.welch@jordan.k12.ut.us) As a Montpelier classmate of Dean, I am saddened to hear of his death. I have many fond memories of Dean and his good nature and friendliness. May your family have the confort of the many memories and may the Lord bless you specially at this time. Janel (Silva) Fraley (janel.silva@boiseschools.org) Hello there, We just wanted you all to know that we are thinking of you at this time. We share your sadness, but at the same time, we also reflect on many great childhood memories of camping trips with Mike, Nicole, Dean and Renee, and spending time with the Dimick family. I remember learning to water ski behind their boat, with Dean at the wheel, patient as ever! Dean was a very special father figure and a good friend to our own Dad. We later came to know Mike and Nicole, and to visit with Dean as adults. We would see Dean when we would visit our Dad out at Argonne. Dean would say, with his sense of humor, "It's a good thing you girls look like your mom and not your dad . . ." May all of your many great memories fill your hearts with joy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Love, Janel (Silva) Fraley Staci (Silva) Ellis Brenda Betzer-Morris (bmorris@sd393.k12.id.us) My grandmother, Lois Betzer, worked with Carol for many years at the INEL. She was such a neat lady. She will be greatly missed. Greg and Shelley Wray (SLWray@cableone.net) Dear Katie and Family of Dean Dimick, Our condolences on your loss. We feel blessed to have been able to know Dean through our working relationship. If more people were like Dean the world would definately be a better place. We will always remember him as a true representative of the Argonne Family and culture; work hard, play hard, and treat people like you would like to be treated. We are sorry that we can not be there as we are out of town. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow. Sincerely, Greg and Shelley Wray Jimmy Wilburn (wilburn20@warpdriveonline.com) You are in our thoughts and prayers at the loss of your loved one. The Wilburns, Jennifer, Jonathan, and Jimmy Jodi Dickinson (dickinson01@msn.com) My thought and prayers are with all of his family. Dean was a very special part of my life for quite some time and I considered him to be like a father to me. He will be missed terribly. Larry Scott (scootermickey@yahoo.com) Dear Nicole and Mike, I as so sorry to hear about your dad and understand the emotions you must feel. In 1998, I lost both my dad and mom within 6 months of each other. It was difficult and while I think of them daily, life is forever changed. Your dad is now in a better place waiting for his family to join him so everyone can walk across the rainbow bridge together into eternal life. The place he waits is an ideal spot where only good things happen and he is forever protected from the negative aspects that surround human life on practically a daily basis anymore. He'll be relaxing and having immense amounts of fun until one day something catches his attention and he discovers that more of his family is joing him for the next great adventure. Until then, his earthly legacy lives in the good things that both of you do for other people. While no one can explain when or why our calling comes, we trust that the Lord will care for those that care about Him. I hope you will find comfort in knowing that other friends and family care about YOU ... our door is always open just as your hearts and minds were when we first met. Life is full of encertainty, but Diana and I want you to know that you can always depend on our love and sincerest best wishes that life will fulfill your deepest dreams, hopes and desires. Your dad lasts forever in your memory ... hold him dear and talk to him often. For those of us that remain engaged in life as we know it, just remember: Yesterday is history; tomorrow's a mystery; today is a gift from God, that's why they call it the present. God Bless both of you and your families. Love, Larry Scott Mrs. Jane Priest [janelpriest@msn.com] Mr. Guilford, I was so very sorry to read about the passing of your wife. I am sure that she was a lovely person and will sorely be missed. My condolences to you and your family. Jane Priest (Taylorview Jr. High) Bob and Marlene Riplinger [mjrrar456@msn.com] Although we did not know Donna that well, we consider her a dear friend and neighbor. We appreciate the care she brought to the flowers that adorned the townhouse unit we share. We appreciate the kindnesses she demonstrated through a wave, a smile, or a word. If we had been neighbors before Donna's illness, I believe Donna and I, Marlene, would have shared doing mutual activities together such as photography, hiking, and stitchery. Donna's valiant battle, determination, and courage throughout her illness is an inspiration to us. May God bless the family and find additional strength through Donna's memory. Bob and Marlene Riplinger