Melvin Dirks

Rock Rapids, IA Mr. Melvin Dirks, age 78 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, December 23, 2007 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, December 27th at the Bethel Reformed Church, rural Ellsworth, MN, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 26th from 2:00 " 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Melvin Wayne Dirks was born June 13, 1929 at the family farm in Midland Township, near Rock Rapids, IA the son of Hiko and Dena (Herding) Dirks. He was raised on the family farm and attended country school. He remained with his parents after school and helped his father with farm work. On June 23, 1953 Melvin was united in marriage to Phyllis L. TeKrony at Bemis, SD. The couple lived on the family farm and they farmed there until Melvin retired in 1996. Melvin and Phyllis moved into Rock Rapids in 2002. Melvin was a member of Bethel Reformed Church, rural Ellsworth, MN and also served on the Lyon County Extension Board. Through Melvins life, family and farming consumed most of his time. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, aviation and trains. He and Phyllis enjoyed building miniature doll houses and entered them in the Lyon County Fair events. He was extremely proud of his children, and grandchildren. Melvin also spent his leisure time attending auctions and visiting with his friends. In June of 2004, Melvins wife Phyllis died after 50 years of marriage. This past Sunday, December 23, 2007, Melvin died after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his three sons, Gerald (and Janet) Dirks of Rock Rapids, IA, Randy (and Margaret) Dirks of S. Sioux City, NE and Douglas Dirks of Rock Rapids, IA; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Hiko and Dena; his wife, Phyllis; and sister, Amanda Anderson.