Dirks, Laverna Mae (1951-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Mar 28 p. 1

Birth date: 1951

text of obituary:

Two Children Killed In Gas Explosion

Montezuma. — Tragedy struck the Vernon Dirks home here Monday night when a lighted candle set off a liquid petroleum gas explosion in which Alice Rose, 4 ½, and Laverna Mae, 6, were fatally burned.

The farm home, located six miles west of Montezuma, was without electric lights due to the storm and it appears that one of the parents went into the basement with a candle to check on a gas water heater.

The two stricken children died within a few hours after the accident happened. Mr. and Mrs. Dirks also were taken to the hospital, where Mrs. Dirks was still in critical condition at the latest report.

The three other Dirks children escaped with lesser injuries.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Apr 4 p. 1

text of obituary:

Large Attendance at Funeral

Montezuma, Kan. — There was a large attendance at funeral services held here early last week for the two Vernon Dirks children — Alice Rose, 4 ½, and Laverna Mae, 6 — who were killed in an explosion in their home during the blizzard on Monday, March 25.

Mr. and Mrs. Dirks, who also were injured, are on the way to full recovery.