Kirk A. Wilde

Kirk A. Wilde

1974 – 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Hawkeye Heaven granted wings to Kirk Alan Wilde, 50, of Fort Lauderdale, formerly of Cushing, when he passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Holy Cross Memorial Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after a brief battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Moville with Pastor Jody Still Herbold officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. There will be no burial.

Kirk began life as a small town boy in rural Iowa where he excelled in many aspects of academics, sports, and fine arts. He evolved to a sophisticated, vibrant, and stylish New Yorker and it was here that he discovered his love for the theatre, food and travel. There was nothing small or ordinary about Kirk's journey through life. His 25 plus years working in travel retail for numerous luxury brands and his passion for touring the world gave him a unique perspective on life. He was a genuine, kind hearted person whose generosity was unmatched. Kirk made the effort to deeply know every person that crossed his path. Whether he was dressed in his Hawkeye attire for game day, in his Jimmy Choos and bow tie, or flip flops on a beach in Thailand, he always had a fine glass of Chardonnay in hand and a smile on his face.

His parents instilled in him traditional Midwest values of being a hard working, honest and loyal man. Someone whose faith and spirituality led him through life and pushed him to be the best son, brother, uncle, friend, and role model. He took pride in his LGBTQ community and supported everyone living authentically. Kirk, like his father, never knew a single stranger because he opened his heart to everyone and lit up even the darkest of rooms. Whether he sang a song in church as a young boy or serenaded his loved ones at a gathering, you could see the love in his eyes and feel the joy in his heart. At his high school graduation, when prayer was not allowed, he boldly sang “Friends are Friends Forever, If The Lord’s The Lord of Them” as part of his commencement address. It became a song that would forever guide his life and those who loved him. Not only did he bring people together, but he was never too shy to provide entertainment. As an avid sports enthusiast, and #1 fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes (class of 1998), his baton twirling act to the Iowa Fight Song was nothing short of spectacular.

He was preceded in death by his Papa, Lon Wilde. 

Kirk is survived by his mother, Sharon (Juelfs) Wilde, formerly of Cushing; sisters, Dawn Hinsch and Scott of Erie, Colorado, and Danya Wilde of Sugar Land, Texas and nephew, Dylan Wilde of Houston, Texas. His memory will also be carried on by his best friends, Erica Dreeszen-Miller and Julian Hannon, along with his Florida Family, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and an abundance of friends worldwide.

Services: June 22, Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home, Moville

Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home • Moville • 712-873-5100