Carol L. DirksenNickerson, KS

Carol Lee Dirksen of Nickerson, Kansas, passed away on March 10, 2026, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, surrounded by many of her family members. She was born on November 5, 1947, in Hutchinson, Kansas, and was the youngest child of Martin Harold and Dorothy Lea (Harrison) Dirksen. She was a cherished daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. Being the youngest, she often liked to joke about some of the fun times her family had before she came along and referred to them as "BC", "Before Carol".

Carol was a 1965 graduate of Hutchinson High School. Shortly after graduation, she took a job at Lowen Corporation in Hutchinson, Kansas. She worked there for 36 years, mainly as a screen printer. While employed at Lowen, she also lived in both Houston and Tulsa for short periods of time, but she always returned back home to Hutchinson, Kansas.

It was at Lowen that Carol met Regis, her partner for life. She and Regis shared many fun times together. They went to see his relatives in Northern California. She also accompanied him to trade shows and bowling tournaments to support him. They lived kind of like Green Acres; Carol as Eva Gabor and Regis being Eddy Albert.

One activity Carol truly enjoyed was traveling, something that began for her at a very young age when she and her family would go to Northwest Arkansas. She loved this area not only for its beautiful scenery but for the opportunity to visit her many relatives living there. She especially liked hearing about all their family history around the Harrison, Jasper, Springdale and Rogers areas. As an adult, Carol’s later travel destinations included many more states, as well as trips to Canada and countries throughout Europe. Among her favorite places to visit were Arizona, California and especially Hawaii, London and Paris. She always preferred to go anywhere that was warm!

Along with traveling, Carol delighted in shopping. She loved fashion and had an outfit for every occasion. Collecting Egyptian, English, French and African artifacts also gave her great joy. Each piece had a special meaning and reflected Carol's beautifully fun, loving and diverse personality.

Carol was also an avid picture taker, even before the advent of cellphones. At every event or get-together, she could be found with a camera around her neck. She loved dark chocolate and was especially known for having the best stocked candy dish ever. Very few would leave her house without being offered a delicious treat. Carol was also very social. Many admired her for her ability to strike up a conversation with anyone no matter who they were or where she was. She especially looked forward to her many and long phone calls with her beloved family members. Carol truly enjoyed staying connected with others. Each conversation was very special to her as she was always sharp about remembering the details so that she could later check up on others to see how things were going.

Above all, Carol was a faithful and devoted member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She lived out her faith through service, whether it be by teaching someone about The Good News of Jesus Christ or just helping someone in need of support. She was also very faithful in visiting shut-ins and her mother’s old friends in the nursing home after her mother’s passing. Carol truly was a light for the Lord.

Carol is survived by her two sisters-in-law: Jalayne Dirksen of Wichita, Kansas, and Mavis Dirksen of Hutchinson, Kansas; three nieces: Ann Baus and husband, Mark of LaCrosse, Kansas, Jill Dirksen of Wichita, Kansas, and Tammy Villegas and husband, Javier of Phoenix, Arizona; and three nephews: Mike Dirksen, and Mark Dirksen, both of Wichita, Kansas and Marty Dirksen and wife, Mona of Phoenix, Arizona; and her four cherished cats; and all the neighborhood cats.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Don Eugene Dirksen and Martin Harvey Dirksen; and her lifetime partner, Regis B. Yager, Jr.

Carol’s memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hutchinson Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1302 N. Severance St, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hutchinson Seventh-Day Adventist Church or the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.