Communities in mourning are sharing more about the three people who were killed Sunday in a car crash in Polk County.
Kolby Joseph Drees, 38, and his passenger Sara Elizabeth Tourte, 34, were known for their love of many activities and of each other.
Chad Allen Dittmer, a 16-year-old high school junior, was remembered as a caring teenager who helped anywhere he could.
All three died when Dittmer's car collided with Drees' at the intersection of Northeast 46th Street and Northeast 94th Avenue north of Bondurant and east of Ankeny just before 8 p.m. Sunday . Initial evidence indicates Dittmer failed to stop at a stop sign. There were no survivors in the crash.
City of Ankeny remembers Kolby Drees for his work, personality
Drees worked for Ankeny as an information technology technician. The city posted on Facebook that he had started working there in 2019.
"His job was to install all of our computers and he had a 'magic touch' when it came to resolving technical issues. What made him truly special was his willingness to stop whatever he was doing to assist others, no matter how busy he was, along with the grace he offered those of us who aren’t particularly tech-savvy," according to the post.
"His expertise made a difference in all of our daily work lives. His dedication, kindness, and sense of humor will be deeply missed," the city added in its post.
The Ankeny Firefighters Local 4814 union also shared on Facebook that Drees was "a familiar face at the fire department, always ready to lend a hand and share a friendly smile."
"Our thoughts are with Kolby’s family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed by all who knew him," the union added.
Drees' obituary said he had a love for '80s movies, live music and cars, like his 4-wheeler, motorcycle and Grand Prix. He was a 2004 graduate of Norwalk High School and studied IT at DMACC.
Bartender remembers Sara Tourte for her voice, kindness and patience
An Ankeny native, Tourte was a 2008 graduate of Ankeny High School, according to her obituary . She worked at DLL (Agricredit) where she most recently was a manager.
She was an active member of her church, played piano and was a Zumba instructor, the obituary says.
"Sara’s legacy is one of love, dedication, and joy. Her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her will remember her as a beautiful soul. Her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were touched by her presence," it reads.
Liza Jacobs, a bartender at the Wicked Rabbit sports bar in Des Moines, said she sometimes saw Drees and Tourte on Fridays when the bar would host karaoke and a blind draw darts tournament. She wrote in a post on Facebook that Tourte "could silence a whole bar with her voice, and she was always so kind and patient with me when I was busy or flustered."
So was Kolby, she added, who she recently partnered with for a darts tournament two days before his death.
"I'm fairly new to playing these types of darts and from the second we knew we were partners he was so supportive and kind and coached me through the whole thing, and even when I shot terribly he was cheering me on," she wrote.
In an interview with the Register, Jacobs said she didn't have relationships with Drees and Tourte outside of the bar "but there are just certain people you meet in life that are just special, you know? They were.
"The world is just a little less bright without them."
Joe Devore of Norwalk also knew the couple through darts and karaoke.
He said Drees was down-to-earth and was "always pushing you to be better, offering pointers, advice, and even engaging in thoughtful conversations about life."
He said the couple's presence "added a warm, personal touch to every tournament."
Both Tourte's and Drees' obituaries highlight their relationship. Drees was "one of the most cherished parts of (Tourte's) life," along with her dog, Benji, her obit reads. Drees' said he died alongside his "cherished companion."
"They will forever reside in our hearts and their legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire us to lead generous, giving lives," his obituary says.
North Polk school community to hold vigil for Chad Dittmer
Dittmer was a junior at North Polk High School, where he was involved in the career and tech classes and the DMACC auto tech program, Hunter Fleshner, spokesperson for the North Polk Community School District, said in a statement to the Register.
"Chad was a compassionate and thoughtful young man who always had a smile on his face," Fleshner said.
"This tragic loss has profoundly impacted our district, leaving a heavy heart in our community," he said.
There will be a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of North Polk High School, the North Polk School Foundation shared on Facebook. A memorial account for Dittmer's family has been set up with Veridian Credit Union.
Polk City Nutrition, a shake and tea business, posted on Facebook it will have a fundraiser for Dittmer's family , from 8 a.m. to noon. Sunday, at 201 North Third St. in Polk City.
And the Hen House Pub n' Grub in Elkhart, where Dittmer lived, posted it would be taking up a collection at the bar for Dittmer's family, after the community lost "a sweet kid."
Hen House owner Michaelle Flinn told the Register she knew Dittmer through her daughter, who was his classmate.
Flinn recalled that shortly after the August 2020 derecho, Dittmer and two of his friends showed up at her home in Elkhart.
"They were offering to help any way they could" and the boys helped them clean up large trees that fell, she said.
"It was entertaining. They made a competition to see who could lift the heavy logs. I offered to pay them (but) they didn't want to take any money. They were just happy to help. They were cheerful little guys and they definitely helped brighten a pretty bad day," Flinn said.
She did not know Wednesday evening how much the bar's collection had raised for Dittmer's family, but said she'd leave the jar out for a week or so and hoped to raise at least $500.
Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X at @pslifeisabeauty.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Couple killed in Polk County crash remembered as generous, with love for life, each other
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