Iva Joyce Mastre Dirks

November 3, 1925 ~ April 10, 2016

April 16, 2016

Iva Joyce Mastre Dirks peacefully passed away April 10, 2016 at Sunset Home, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, reaching the age of ninety years. Funeral Services were held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 10:30 in the Mountain View Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry with interment following in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery. Iva was born to Gustaf and Alma Mastre on November 3, 1925 at Grafton, North Dakota. She was the third child in a family of twelve children. Her childhood years were spent in various places, making life very interesting. In her father’s efforts to provide for his family, they made many moves during her childhood years. She often talked about living in Fredonia, Kansas where her dad and George Mayeski owned a gas station. She also spoke fondly of living in Walsh and Bartlett, Colorado, and Hillsboro and Scott City, Kansas. Although there were many hardships, these were carefree and happy days for her. She carried her father’s adventurous spirit throughout life. At the age of fourteen, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, by Minister Frank Wenger, in Uncle Clifford Mastre’s home in Grafton, North Dakota. She embraced this faith until the end. She enjoyed the time spent at Uncle Clifford’s working in potato harvest with youth friends. Many of these friends were special to her all through life. After her father’s passing, the family moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho to be closer to her mother’s family. While living in Bonners Ferry, she met our father, Curtis Dirks. They were joined in marriage December 19, 1948, sharing life’s joys and sorrows for nearly 61 years until Dad’s passing on December 4, 2009. Their home was blessed with four children. Although her last years were not easy for her due to her dementia, she always had a loving spirit and a cheery smile. She had a special place in her heart for the workers and residents at Sunset Home. She supported her husband in the gospel ministry and many hours were spent encouraging and listening to the difficulties of others. Mom loved to sing and whistle while she worked. She was also a masterful storyteller with a good sense of humor, making stories very vivid. She loved to cook and care for her family and our home was always open to others. Mom was a hard worker and a good example to us, always concerned for our spiritual welfare. Left to mourn her passing are her children: Beverly of Rio Vista, California; June of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Ross and Ronda of Dumas, Arkansas; Grant and Nadine of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; six brothers: Cyril and wife Lillie, Stanley and wife Lillian, Bob and wife Joanne, Roy and wife Marlyn, Bill and wife Barbara, Lloyd and wife Delores, one sister: JoAnn and husband Ernie Dirks; many beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and a multitude of family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Minister Curtis Dirks; her parents, three sisters, one brother and one great-grandson SERVICES Funeral Service Friday, April 15, 2016 10:30 a.m. Mountain View Mennonite Church Highway 95 Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805