In Loving Memory Of

John Henry Dirks

John Dirks, the son of Franklin and Dena (Rosenboom) Dirks, was born on July 24, 1929 on a farm near Little Rock, IA. He grew up on the farm and attended country school.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in Germany until his Honorable discharge in 1953. John was united in marriage to Betty Peterson on January 17, 1954 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN.  After their marriage they lived with his parents in Beaver Creek, MN. In 1956 they moved to a farm near Badger Lake near Iona then later to a farm near Avoca. In 1963 they moved to a farm near the Pfingsten Church and in 1975 they moved into Fulda. He worked for the City of Fulda with the City Maintenance retiring in 1995 but worked part time for the city after his retirement.  John remained at home after Betty passed away in March of 2004.  John passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2012 the age of 82 in Fulda, MN.  He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Fulda, MN.  John also belonged to the Fulda American Legion Post 318 and VFW Post 9017.  He enjoyed working and loved to keep busy. He also spent many hours fishing with his nephews Lloyd and Larry Reemts and his fishing buddy Larry Nelson.  He also enjoyed going to the Murray County Speedway and watering the track.  John was always happy when he had his family and friends around him.

Survivors include his three children Sharon Staples of Slayton, MN, Brad (Sue) Dirks of Redwood Falls, MN and Wendy (Jerry) Peterson of Mitchell, SD; two grandchildren, Brian Dirks of Fargo, ND and Katy Dirks of Brookings, SD; sisters-in-law, Edna Dirks of Luverne, MN and Donna Lee of Worthington, MN and brother-in-law, Doug (Donna) Peterson of Austin, MN.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, son-in-law, Doug Staples, sisters, Katie, Ann, Dora, Mira and Fanny and brothers, Ben and Franklin.

Funeral Services

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 9, 2012 with the Rev. Shawn Etheridge and Rev. Jeff Lee co-officiating.  The organist is Irene Wahl. The soloist is A.W. Koopman.  The pallbearers are Lloyd Reemts, Mike Dirks, Kevin Dirks, Scott Lee, Robert Reemts and Larry Heger.  Honorary pallbearers are Larry Nelson and his nephews.  Interment is at Prairie Hill Cemetery Fulda, MN.  Military honors provided by the Fulda VFW Post 9017 and American Legion 318.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements.