Dirks, Anna F. Harder (1896-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 8 p. 9

Birth date: 1896 Nov 10

text of obituary:

MRS. A. J. DIRKS

Mrs. Anna F. Dirks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isbrandt Harder, was born in the year of our Lord 1896, on Nov. 10, in Marion county, near Hillsboro, Kansas. The years of her youth were spent in Kansas.

In her youth she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized on June 27, 1915, Rev. Pete A. Wiebe officiating, and was accepted into the fellowship of the K.M.B. church, Springfield, southwest of Lehigh, Kansas.

In 1918 her parents and family moved to Canada and settled on a farm northwest of Waldheim, Sask. Here she resided with her parents until 1942. On January 4, 1942, she was united in marriage with A. J. Dirks, after which they made their home with their family at Dalmeny. Here she transferred her membership to the E.M.B. church. The family resided at Dalmeny until July, 1943 when they moved and settled on a farm northwest of Waldheim. There they remained till October 1951, then moved back to Dalmeny where they have resided till the present time.

Her illness was revealed on Feb. 3 when she experienced her first attack while working in the basement. She had picked up an object and remarked that something did not feel right in her head. After three weeks of working in the kitchen, something happened again causing severe headaches. The diagnosis was that she had a case of high blood pressure which the doctor did not consider serious.

On Feb. 27 she had another attack, causing great suffering in her head. The doctor was called and was inclined to believe that her illness was due to an internal hemorrhage. The ambulance was ordered and she was transferred to City hospital. Her condition varied so that at times she showed splendid improvement and then again she felt much worse.

Friday evening Bro. and Sis. John Harder visited her, stating that her condition was satisfactory and that she was feeling happy and well. A little later she was prepared for the night and suddenly had an attack, causing unconsciousness from which she did not fully recover. Half an hour later at 11:15 p.m. on Friday, March 12, the message was sent that she had passed away.

Left to mourn her sudden passing are her husband, A. J. Dirks; seven sons, Ben of Waldheim, Edward and Abe of Fairholm, Arthur of Mt. Lake, Minn., John, Alvin and Melvin at home at Dalmeny; five daughters, Helen, Mrs. Leander Wiens of Mt. Lake, Minn., Miriam, Mrs. Melvin Wiebe of Langham, Selma, Dorothy and Doreen at home: four daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, eleven grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer Schrock of Gridlay [sic Gridley], Ill. and Mrs. Sam J. R. Hofer of Carpenter, S. D.; four brothers, John of Carlee, Peter of Waldheim, Ben of Osier, and David of Medstead, and a host of relatives and friends.

She attained the age of 57 years, four months, and two days, and the Lord permitted us to live together for 12 years and two months. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope, for we live in anticipation of seeing her again at the coming of our Lord Jesus for all His saints.—A. J. Dirks and family.