Richard Dircks 1898-1965

DIRCKS, HARTWIG, RIX, SEVERIN, RUTHER, SCHULZ

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 11/6/2020 at 08:05:56

13 May 1965 - The Tipton Conservative

Injuries which he received in the Palm Sunday tornado that struck Cedar county proved fatal to Richard Dircks, 66, May 6 at University hospital, Iowa City. Dircks was trapped in the debris of his farm home when the tornado struck. He received multiple injuries, including head injuries.

He was unconscious for several days, and was slowly recovering from the injuries, when pneumonia caused his death.

Dircks was the only person injured in the tornado which swept across northeast Cedar county, causing heavy damage to more than 25 farms.

Funeral services for Dircks were held May 9 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence with Dr. C. W. Ebbert officiating. The church choir sang, accompanied by Sybil Klatt.

Pallbearers were Fred Bachman, Howard McClellan, Leo Resewehr, Melvin Deerberg, Ben Penningroth and Herman Schwien. Mrs. Howard McClellan, Mrs. Herman Schwien and Mrs. Herman Helmold were in charge of flowers.

Mr. Dircks, who served 2 terms on the Cedar county board of supervisors, was active in farm organizations and was a director of the First National bank in Tipton. He was a life-long farmer in the Fairfield township area. He was a member of First United Church of Christ and the Tipton Rotary club.

He was a member of the board of directors of Clarence Co-operative for 18 years, a longtime member of the Clarence Cemetery association, served on the Clarence Rural Fire association, and was a member at one time of the St. John's United Church of Christ Church council.

The son of Henry and Marie Debner Dircks, he was born near Clarence Oct. 23, 1898. He was married to Della Hartwig Dec. 25, 1922 at Clarence.

He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, Dewey, Clarence and John, Lowden, Mrs. Robert (Verna Lee) Rix, Clarence and Mrs. Robert (Patricia) Severin, Lowden; 7 grandchildren, 2 sisters, Mrs. Harold Ruther, Clarence and Mrs. Bernice Schultz, Washington, D.C., a brother, Henry of Clinton.