Dirk M. Akeson
March 19, 1996 – July 10, 2018
Dirk Matthis Akeson of Crete was born March 19, 1996, in Lincoln. He passed from this mortal realm in Omaha on July 10, 2018, following a motorcycle accident at 22 years of age. To his friends and family, his life was tragically cut short, but for those who knew Dirk, his high-octane style simply meant that he compressed far more living in the dash between birth and his passing than most people live in a lifetime. He had an incredible smile, considerable charm, a sense of chivalry and a good heart.
Dirk cherished his faith in God, family, friends, his dog, Cheezburger, and anything with wheels, particularly his fleet of vehicles. He was an aficionado of pickles, barbecue, Armani Code, hair products, baseball caps, camouflage and cowboy boots. He loved to buy clothes and had a unique sense of humor and style from a young age. He loved good-natured teasing of family and friends and enjoyed a good joke. There were few things he despised more than onions and political correctness.
Dirk’s life was spent in service to his family, many friends and those who lacked friends. Animals and children loved him. During his lifetime, Dirk exemplified that greater love that no man has than he who lays down his life for his friends. He was generous and sacrificial. Dirk could often be found helping a buddy who needed him in practical ways and was known for his listening ear and caring heart. His hugs were legendary. One of his shortcomings was in under-estimating his enormous potential.
Dirk was schooled at home where his classroom was found in nature or in the garage where he loved working with his hands. He was educated by life, family, father figures, mentors and Khan Academy. Dirk was a born salesman and showed his entrepreneurial talents early in life. He found and refurbished bikes at 12, lawn mowers at 14 and proceeded to sell cell phones. He found his passion in life for auto mechanics, which he was required to learn out of necessity. Schooled in mechanics by YouTube and his mentors, he went on to hone his skills through employment in the automotive industry where he connected with many. Dirk was on the verge of opening his own mechanic shop in Pickrell and leaves behind many family members and friends to mourn his loss.
Survivors include his parents, Sonja Akeson of Crete and Curt (Teresa) Akeson of Ashland; brothers, Kai (Kinsey) Akeson of Lincoln and Haydn Akeson of Crete; sisters, Serena Akeson of Ashland and Sasha Akeson of Crete; step-sisters, Christine (Ben) Johnson of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Kathleen (Taku) Mangoro of Lake Pleasant, New York; grandparents, Walt and Marilyn Akeson of Longmont, Colorado, Ted and Diane Schulz of Yutan and Gene and Dixie Placek of Lincoln; nieces and nephews, Elena Akeson, Peyton, Noah, Gracie and Bethany Johnson and Simba and Tino Mangoro; aunts and uncles, Michael Henrickson and Gina Henrickson (Hallie and Seth cousins), Jaime and Leigh Placek (Skylar & Sawyer cousins), Joel Placek, John Schrotberger, Kenneth, Kelvin and Gerri Akeson, Julie, Terri, Jeff and Tanya Goon, Scott and Jen Schulz and Cory and Kris Schulz; close friends and mentors, Dave Mayhew and Scott Carpenter (Pops).
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Yvonne Akeson.
A funeral service was held July 14, 2018, at First Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for future designation by visiting www.dirkakeson.com.
