Iris Chase Douglas Dirks

Iris Chase was born on March 23, 2002, and passed away on November 2, 2024.

Chase Douglas Dirks was born at Saint Luke’s Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Merriam, Kansas. He was a bit late to the event, delivering at 8:32 AM, a week after the due date. Chase lived in Kansas City, Kansas, briefly, until moving to his home in Prairie Village, Kansas in 2002 at 9 months old. 

Chase attended preschool at Saint Luke’s Child Care Center and loved all his teachers. Chase enjoyed hitting many development milestones in secret, then repeating them for his doting parents at home. Chase attended school at Belinder Elementary, Indian Hills Middle School, and was a proud graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School in 2020. Chase was a multi-year participant in the Belinder Variety Show, both as a solo pianist and as part of group performances with friends. Chase excelled academically, and developed a love of woodworking and science through his classwork. He did not enjoy school lunches and would have much preferred a donut, beef goulash, or fried chicken.

At a very early age, Chase began to learn of his many loves. First, he developed a great love of reading.  He always had a book in his hands, from Captain Underpants to Ready Player One to Manga.  Later, his interests expanded to include video games, tabletop games, nerf wars with the many neighborhood kids and the internet. He learned how to configure and build PCs and became an expert resource for friends and family. He really enjoyed helping others with any IT related issues, especially his mother.  More recently, Iris Chase had learned to cook more of their favorite foods, including thyme basted steak, grilled cheese a la Iris, and kielbasas.

Travel was also a love. Chase’s first trip was to Hawaii at age one and left an indelible impression, as traveling became a clear joy. Chase traveled around the world with his family, and seemed to be the most willing to explore and experience new things, to consider something different, during these times away. He was most excited to try different foods and restaurants while traveling.  Chase very much enjoyed participating in the restaurant choice of the next meal, especially when it involved dessert or red meat. Chase’s personal highlights of those included time in New York City, Japan, Italy, London and Denver, Colorado to attend an Idles concert. 

Family and animals were of the greatest importance to Chase.  He loved being an older sibling and was always looking out for Jake and Lillie.  He was protective, guiding, eager to share in experiences, and always proud of Lillie and Jake.  He was a gentle, kind soul that also loved his furry siblings and extended family and friends.  Chase was thankful for their kindness, love, fun times, and warm embrace. 

Chase attended Kansas State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Johnson County Community College.

During this time of exploration of college (and perhaps prior), Chase slowly determined that their identity was shifting and shared this with close friends, moving later on to family members. They began expressing that they wanted to be referred to as they/she, and began creating her online presence as Iris. Iris showed a significant amount of patience and grace for her family as they learned how to support her. Iris met Matt and began dating in 2023, first virtually and eventually IRL. Iris relocated to Memphis to work and continue to grow personally, with Matt, in July, 2024. In every chapter of life, through changes in name and pronouns, Iris Chase was adored, celebrated and loved by their family.

Iris Chase is survived by parents Carl and Tiffonie Dirks, siblings Jake and Lillian Dirks, Grandparents Crickett Payne, Doug and Sally Dirks, Phil and Joyce Prater, Uncle Dean Prater, cousins Mason and Emily Prater. Extended Great Uncles, Great Aunts, Cousins, best friend Jayce Underwood, and other friends are also mourning their loss. 

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to CRITTENTON CHILDREN’S CENTER
(a drop-down selection on the St. Lukes website; www.give.saintlukeskc.org)which is a division of Saint Luke’s. Iris Chase enjoyed the family tradition of shopping for and delivering holiday gifts to the center. A time for giving is what was special to our child.
https://give.saintlukeskc.org/give/488429/#!/donation/checkout