DIRKS, Cornelius 1898-1931

DIRKS, FONKEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/30/2015 at 07:38:17

Cornelius Dirks Dies Following Long Illness

Death Follows Long Affliction With Cancer Of Backbone

Engaged In Business Here Past Two Years

Funeral Services Held at German Presbyterian church Monday Afternoon

Cornelius H. Dirks for the past two years engaged in the grocery business in Grundy Center and widely known throughout the county, died at his home here early Friday morning following a long illness with cancer of the spine. He was 33 years of age.

Mr. Dirks' physical health was first impaired several years ago. During the past winter his condition became aggravated and it was only then that the serious nature of his trouble was realized. He was taken to Des Moines and Marshalltown for medical attention, but the skill and knowledge of specialists could do little to stay the course of his fatal affliction.

Mr. Dirks was born in Grundy county and resided here during his relatively short lifetime. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dirks of this city. On Agtust 5, 1918, he was joined in marriage to Miss Ella Fonken, and to them were born three children, Floyd, Loana and Marian, who with the widow survive to mourn his untimely departure. Mr. and Mrs. Dirks operated a farm in Colfax township for about ten years following their marriage, coming to Grundy Center to make their home three years ago.

Funeral services were held at the First German Presbyterian church Monday afternoon following a short service at the home, Rev. K. J. Stratemeier in charge. The church was filled to overflowing with sorrowing friends of the deceased. Short addresses were given by Rev. Stratemeier, Rev. J. E. Drake and Rev. R. B Fisher using text selected by the deceased before his death. Rev. Stratemeier spoke on Rev. 21:4; Rev. Drake spoke in German on Psalm 27:1, and Rev. Fisher used Psalm 23:4 as his text. Floral offerings were very beautiful and generous. Vocal music was by Mrs. W. H. Kruse and a quartet.

Interment was in the cemetery adjoining the Holland Presbyterian church.

Those left to mourn his departure beside the widow and children are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dirks of Grundy Center; a brother, John S. Dirks, of Colfax township; one sister, Mrs. Andrew Franken, of Grundy Center, besides many other relatives and a host of friends.

Relatives and friends from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. R. Asmus, Buffalo Center; Oscar Medsen, Bricelyn, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Jurgen Reents, Parkersburg; Charley Fonken, Henry Fonken, Mrs. S. S. Reents, Mrs. John DeVries and daughter Gladyce, all of Forreston, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. John Kossick, Marshalltown; Rev. and Mrs. Evert Dirks and family, Traer; and Mr. and Mrs. Harm Ostendorp and Jurgen Bruns of Stout.

The friends of the family in this community join in expressing their sympathy in their loss of one who was removed while in the prime of life and yet young in years.

Obituary
(By. Rev. K. J. Stratemeier)

Cornelius H. Dirks was born July 15, 1898, in Grundy county, Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dirks, now of Grundy Center.

Having had many physical reverses, Mr. Dirks' condition became aggravated during the winter. With the first of March, 1931, the disease sapping the strength of his young manhood revealed itself and from then on his condition became critical. He was given expert medical care, but the disease would not be stayed. Thus he lingered on month after month, lovingly and faithfully cared for by his loved ones that waited by his bedside day and night. During all this time he suffered indescribable pain of which he found only temporary relief. With courage and trust in God he met the ordeal day by day and was sustained therein by the Word of God which meant more to him as the days of affliction lengthened into weeks and months.

Death came to release his soul from the body writhing in pain in the early morning of Friday, July 24, 1931. The deceased attained unto the age of 33 years and 9 days.

Upon letter of dismissal from the Holland church Mr. Dirks became a member of the First German Presbyterian church of Grundy Center, October 26, 1930. Because of his sickness his spiritual instruction was soon confined to the pastoral visits at which he revealed an increasing understanding of saving truth, which gave him strength to be resigned to his fate not only, but also to commit himself into the hand of his Saviour and God.

From my garden of grief, with eyes that are dim,
With the raining of sorrow, I look unto Him.
Who pities and comforts, and never departs,
Nor closes his ear to the woe of all hearts.

And out of the silence there tenderly falls,
The sound of his voice as he lovingly calls.
"This is my will," it says, "mine, suffering one,"
And my heart tries to answer: "Lord, Thy will be done."

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 July 1931, pg 1