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Larry Dean Dirks |
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July 19, 1939 ~ April 2, 2016 |
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April 5, 2016 |
 Larry
Dean Dirks, 76, passed away suddenly April 2 at
home as he was working, helping a customer
outside. His grandson Kyle was able to get to
him in time to give comfort and hold him in his
arms. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday,
April 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the United
Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho with
interment following in the Grandview Cemetery.
Larry was born July 19, 1939 in Bonners Ferry,
Idaho, delivered by his grandma, Lena Unruh, at
home, the 9th of 11 children born to Ernest and
Alda Unruh Dirks. He received all his education
in Bonners Ferry. He and his wife of 55 years,
Judy, met in Kansas City, Kansas where he was in
service at Kansas University Medical Center,
assisting the Recreation Therapist in the
psychiatric department where she was a
registered nurse. They returned to Bonners Ferry
in 1961. He worked on the Ball Creek Road, at
the Moyie Lumber Mill, logged. With H.C. Studer
he started the local Purina store, had his own
logging business, and had a large commercial hog
farm, all at the same time. After 28 years he
stopped raising hogs, except the children’s 4-H
pigs, and started the All Purpose Storage
business which continues today. He said he
enjoyed everything he did.
Larry was baptized in and an active member of
the United Methodist Church where at various
times he served as Administrative Council Chair,
Finance Chair, Trustee, and president,
vice-president and secretary-treasurer of the
United Methodist Men. He also served on the
Twinlow Camp and Retreat Board. He very much
enjoyed going on Volunteer in Mission trips,
twice to Alaska, once to Hawaii, and once to Red
Bird Missionary Conference.
He was involved in many ways in the community,
always saying “yes” when there was a need and he
was asked. He served on the Fair Board, was a
4-H leader, and assisted with the FFA program.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as
treasurer and currently as secretary. He had
been treasurer and president of the Moyie Shrine
Club, served on the Friends of the Restorium
Board, and served on the Paradise Valley Fire
Board. Currently he was on the Board of
Guardians, chair of the SPOT Bus Committee, and
chair of the Restorium Advisory Board. He was
quick to respond to the needs of his children,
friends, and neighbors.
Larry received many community and church honors
including FFA and Market Animal Sale
appreciation awards, Twinlow Camp special
recognition by the United Methodist Men, Calam
and Moyie Shrine Club outstanding Shriner, Moyie
Shrine Club President’s Award, and Mason of the
Year.
Larry married Judy Rohr in 1961 at Cherokee
Christian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.
They were foster parents to 12 children and had
several exchange students while their own six
children were at home: Debra Louise Dirks, Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho; Dean Allen Dirks, who passed
away during his senior year of high school;
Kevin Wade and wife Sheryl, Bonners Ferry; Amy
JoNell and husband, Lee Nelson, Newman Lake,
Washington; Beth Allison and husband, Dean
Giffing, Post Falls, Idaho; Douglas Ryan and
wife, Lisa, Bonners Ferry. He was most proud of
his children and all nine grandchildren, Casey,
Kyle, Michaela Dirks; Derek and Mitchell Nelson;
Tyler and Bryce Giffing; Ivy and Tucker Dirks.
He enjoyed the holidays with a full house,
attending their ball games, concerts, dance
recitals, and special events whenever possible.
For every birthday possible he made the homemade
ice cream.
Preceding him were parents, son Dean, brothers
Clarence and Curt Dirks, sisters Ethel Peaster
and Fern Boese, and infant sister Gladys,
brother-in law Glen Peaster. |
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