Dirks, Henry (1866-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 23 p. 6

Birth date: 1866 Jun 14

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Bethel College chapel Monday forenoon for Henry Dirks, 87, resident of Newton for 40 years and pioneer settler at Buhler. Dr. D. C. Wedel conducted the services, and burial was made at the Hebron cemetery. Mr. Dirks was born in Polish Russia and came to this country in 1884. For many years he was associated with the Midland Mutual Fire Insurance company here, formerly as treasurer and more recently as a member of the board of directors.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 30 p. 9

text of obituary:

HENRY DIRKS

Henry Dirks, son of Benjamin and Aganetha Schartner Dirks, was born June 14, 1866, in Karolswalde, Poland, Russia and passed away peacefully on July 16, 1953. He attained the age of 87 years, one month and two days.

The early years of his life were influenced by a happy Christian home. At the age of 17 he was baptized upon his confession of faith on August 19, 1883, by Rev. Jacob Toews in Khiva. When his parents came to America in 1884 he joined the Hebron Mennonite church where he was an active member, serving as a Sunday school teacher for many years. He also had a keen interest in evangelism and missionary enterprises. When he established his home in Newton he transferred his membership to the Bethel College Mennonite church where he was a faithful member till his death.

On April 25, 1889, he was married to Susanna Martens who was called to be with her Lord in July, 1917. Five children came to brighten this home, one son and four daughters. They are as follows: A. M. Dirks, Hesston; Katie of the home; Marie, Mrs. Ray Schrag, McPherson; Lydia, Mrs. E. C. Eymann, Phoenix, Arizona; and Lena, Mrs. William J. Dunn of Buhler.

He was an active farmer until he retired in 1913 but his interest in farming never ceased. He moved his family to Newton where he resided until his death. For many years he was interested in and held an office in the Midland Mutual Fire Insurance company.

His health had been failing for some time and on May 6 he entered the Bethel Deaconess hospital where he was given the best of care until he passed away.

He leaves to mourn his departure one son and four daughters, one daughter-in-law and three sons-in-law, 15 grandchildren, two having preceded him in death, 16 great grandchildren, 15 sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law, and a host of relatives and friends. He was the last of the eleven children of his parents’ family to be called to his eternal home.

We sorrow not, even as those who have no hope, but rejoice in the thought of the return of our Lord when we shall be reunited with those who have gone on before.

The service was held June [sic July] 20 in the Bethel College chapel with Dr. D. C. Wedel officiating. Two songs "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” and “So nimm den meine Haende" were rendered by the choir. Burial was in the family lot in the Hebron church cemetery near Buhler. The casket-bearers were: Henry Ensz, Gustave Gaeddert, A. D. Claassen, Rudolph Enns, Clinton Koppes, Arthur J. Frey. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Aug 11 p. 496