DIRKS, Cornelius E. 1892-1960

DIRKS, PRUISNER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/20/2017 at 12:24:36

Heart Attack Fatal To Cornelius Dirks, Carrier At Holland

Cornelius E. Dirks, 68, rural mail carrier at Holland, died at 11:45 p.m. Monday at Grundy County Memorial Hospital following a heart attack.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Engelkes Funeral Home at Grundy Center, and at 1:30 p.m. in the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Wiert Eekhoff in charge.

Burial will be in the Holland cemetery.

Con apparently had been in his usual good health until Saturday afternoon, when he first complained of a chest pain. He still managed to feed his cattle in the lot at the west edge of Holland before returning home.

A doctor was summoned and he was immediately taken to the hospital. His condition gradually became worse, and two days later he died.

His sudden death late Monday night came as unbelievable news to his many, many friends in Holland and throughout the county.

Perpetually friendly, generous, always helpful to others, it is impossible to assess the loss to his family, friends, community and church of a man like Con.

Obituary
Cornelius E. Dirks was born May 15, 1892, at Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Dirks. He spent his entire life in the community of Holland.

Con first carried mail in 1905 as a substitute for nine days for Henry Snittjer, became substitute carrier in 1912, and in 1917 was appointed regular carrier at Holland.

A carrier longer than any other man in Grundy county, Con became a legend to his patrons. Despite the weather, at times even disregarding his own health, Con never failed if at all possible to serve his route. The many special services he performed for his patrons were far above and beyond the call of duty.

Two years ago he was awarded a 28-year safe driving award and scroll from the National Safety Council for never having been involved in an accident. This is the highest award the council can make.

He was inducted into the Army in February, 1918, during World War I, and was wounded while in action in France. He received his honorable discharge in February, 1919.

On September 30, 1919, he was united in marriage to Rena Pruisner and the couple made their home in Holland. This union was blessed with one child, Mae, Mrs. Clarence Kruse, with whose family he was living at the time of his death.

Mrs. Dirks passed away July 27, 1941.

The deceased served as a director of the Farmers Savings Bank from February 12, 1951, until January 13, 1958.

He was a member of the Holland Commercial Club, and Grundy Center American Legion Post No. 349.

He was confirmed March 24, 1907, and became a member of the Holland Lutheran Church. On April 2, 1950, he transferred his membership to the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, which he served as treasurer for 10 years.

Surviving are the deceased's daughter, Mrs. Clarence Kruse; a sister, Mrs. Louise Smith, of Holland; a brother, John Dirks, Bristow; three grandchildren, Roger Kruse of Grundy Center, Marilee and Charles Kruse, Holland; and one great-granddaughter, JoEllen Kruse, of Grundy Center.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his wife.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 June 1960, pg 13