Dirks, Jacob (1862-1931)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Mar 11 p. 1

Birth date: 1862 May 8

text of obituary:

JACOB DIRKS

Rev. Jacob Dirks was born the 8th day of May, 1862 in the village of Karlswalde, Poland, Russia, the son of Benjamin Dirks and Aganetha Schartner Dirks. In 1881 together with his parents he moved to Khiva, Asia. It was here where he was in 1862 baptized upon the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ by Rev. Jacob Toews and accepted as a member into the Mennonite church. This stay in Asia was but of a short period, for in the year of 1884 he together with his parents came to America where they established their home. Here in America he united with the Hopeview Mennonite church.

On the 3rd day of April, 1894 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Becker of Buhler, Kansas. In this union they were permitted to share joys and sorrows together for a period of almost 37 years. To this union three children were born; Jacob, Gustav, and Sara. When their sons had reached the age of 7 and 5 respectively they both died of diphtheria with the sort period of five days. This was a very hard time for the parents, but with faith in their master, who doth all things well, they also bore this test. together they erected their home in Reno Co., Kansas west of Buhler. Here they resided until in 1907 they moved to Beaver Co. Oklahoma and shared in the hardship of pioneer days in that territory. Here they lived until 1918 when they retired and came to the town of Buhler, Kansas where they resided the rest of their days. In Oklahoma he was elected minister of the newly organized church of the Mennonites and served the church for 11 years. Under his leadership the church prospered and in his winsome way he was able to be of spiritual blessings to many, Until the end he felt a deep interest in the church he once organized and remembered the same in his prayers. When they came to Buhler they again united with the Hopeview Mennonite church in the year 1927.

About a year ago he began to feel that his health was failing. It grew worse continually and for the last six months he suffered considerable. Three weeks ago he was taken to the Bethel Hospital at Newton where under the care of the sisters and especially his own daughter Sara, who is a sister in this institution, he past the last days of his life. The last three days he suffered severely yet patiently. He was ready to meet his Lord and Master whom he had trusted in days of sunshine and joy. To hm to live was Christ and so death was gain in him also.

March the 2. at 7:15 A.M. he was called into the Great Beyond. he reached the age of 68 years, 9 months and 24 days, his for us too early departure mourn his beloved wife, Mrs. Anna Dirks and daughter Sara. Also 6 brothers and two sisters, Abraham and Tobias of Buhler, Henry of Newton, Kansas and Fred, Isaac, George and Lena of South Dakota and Mrs. Ewert of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Funeral services were held from the Hopeview Mennonite Church on March 6. Words of consolation were spoken by Rev. A. J. Dyck and Rev. H. R. Voth, Rev. D. D. Unruh made the opening and Rev. Abr. Ratzlaff the close. Interment was in the Hopeview cemetery.

Mrs. Anna Dirks and daughter Sara.

Card of Thanks.

We wish to express our thanks to all who have in any way aided or assisted and tried to console us during the illness and death of our husband and father Jacob Dirks. Also for the floral offerings and special music at the funeral.

Mrs. Anna Dirks, Wife

Miss Sara Dirks, Daughter.