DIRKSEN, Patricia Maxine (Harn) 1933-2018

DIREKSEN, HARN, DEVRIES

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:00

Patricia M. Dirksen

August 11, 1933 - January 3, 2018

Patricia Maxine (Harn) Dirksen, age 84, formerly of Waterloo died in her home in Parkersburg Iowa from natural causes on Wednesday January 3, 2018.

Born August 11, 1933 in Waterloo to Joseph and Tilda (Devries) Harn, she attended Sacred Heart Elementary and graduated from West High in 1952. On July 12, 1952, she married Darwin Dean Dirksen at Sacred Heart Church.

Pat and Dean were members of St. John’s Parish in Waterloo for many years where Pat assisted with many church functions over many years serving on the Rosary Society. Though Pat was a busy mother of 5, she also worked in various women’s retail apparel shops in Waterloo.

After retirement Pat and Dean traveled with the Metholic Mission Group repairing homes for underprivileged families in Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, W. Virginia, Oklahoma and Minnesota. Among Pat’s favorite things were all of the “babies” in the family, a good hot cup of coffee with cream and lots of sugar, and having a sweater always at hand. Pat was a fabulous cook, known for her always Homemade - noodles, cookies, pies (best crust ever), Deviled Eggs, breads, cakes and fruit canning wonders. Pat’s kitchen was always filled with luscious fragrances and people she loved. She made sure that everyone was always welcomed and none left hungry.

Born of necessity, Pat was also an accomplished seamstress making clothes for her five children, and she was endlessly mending to keep all clothing good as new. Pat had very close bonds with her family especially her three sisters Doris, Erin and Helen.

Survivors include her husband Dean of Parkersburg, five children Samuel Allen Dirksen (Cindy) of Hampton Iowa, Lori Ann (Mike) McKinley of Cedar Falls Iowa, Tina Marie (Tim) Cooper of E. Dundee IL, Erin Elaine (Tim) Troyer of Kechi KS, June Elizabeth (Jeff) Olds of W. Des Moines, her brother Byron (Carla) Harn of Waterloo, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters; Jack Harn who died in infancy, Dale Harn Waterloo, Joseph Harn Evansdale, Erin Bernard, Doris Cameron, Helen Digman all of Waterloo, and granddaughter Aimee Lynn (McKinley) Bunger of Waterloo who died on September 2, 2008.

Services: Saturday, January 6, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Public visitation from 3-6 p.m. Friday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street. Visitation also one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Cedar Valley Hospice.

Many thanks for the kindness of the staff at Parker Place Retirement in Parkersburg, with special thanks to the Memory Care staff who often went above and beyond to give Pat great care infused with happy moments. Also many thanks to the wonderful team at Cedar Valley Hospice for their timely and compassionate support.

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SOURCE: Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service website