Dirks, Lena (1877-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Sep 29 p. 3

Birth date: 1877 Nov 5

text of obituary:

LENA DIRKS

Lena Dirks, daughter of Benjamin Dirks and Aganetha Schartner Dirks, was born November 5, 1877, in the village of Waldheim, Molotchna Colony, South Russia, and departed this life September 16, 1949, at the age of 71 years, 10 months and 11 days.

In 1880 she migrated with her parents to Asia from whence they came to America four years later in 1884. They settled on a farm near Marion, South Dakota, where she received her elementary education.

On August 26, 1900, she was baptized upon her confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour by the Elder Christian Kaufman and received into the membership of the Salem Mennonite church near Freeman, South Dakota.

For a number of years she lived in the city of Marion, South Dakota, where she took care of her aged parents until both passed away. On May 15, 1932, she suffered a heart attack which made her helpless on her left side. On March 14, 1938, she was brought to the Bethel Deaconess hospital at Newton, Kansas, where her health improved somewhat but she never completely recovered her strength.

She was admitted into the Bethesda Home for the Aged at Goessel, Kansas on September 6, 1938. Here she was well taken care of by Sister Margaret Richert and her staff of helpers until she was called to her heavenly home. On May 25, 1949, she became a life member in the Bethesda Home. For this she was happy and thankful.

She passed away suddenly on Friday, September 16, 1949, while eating her dinner. She had spent the forenoon in the usual manner, visiting with some of her friends to whom her passing, therefore, seemed to be all the more sudden.

Her aged parents, one sister and eight brothers have preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her departure one brother, Henry Dirks of Newton, five sisters-in-law, a number of nephews and nieces anti a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday the 19th. A short service was conducted in the Home by Rev. P. P. Duller, and at two o’clock the service in the Goessel Mennonite church, where Rev. J. J. Voth officiated with the assistance of Rev. Jake Stobbe. Music was furnished by a ladies duet. Pallbearers were P. D. Dirks, A. M. Dirks, Ben D. Dirks, David Dirks, Fred D. Dirks, John J. Dyck. Interment was made in the church cemetery.

Those who came from a distance to attend the service were John J. Schmidt, Mrs. Fred Dirks, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thomas from Marion, South Dakota, and Tobias T. Dirks from Liberal, Kansas.