DIRKS, Henriette 1887-1934

DIRKS, SMIT

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/5/2017 at 09:13:25

Mrs. John S. Dirks Dies Suddenly At The Hospital

Mrs. John S. Dirks died suddenly at the Deaconess hospital in Marshalltown Thursday afternoon from embolism, better known as a blood clot. Death came at the time that attending physicians and her family expected that she would be able to return to her home within a few days. She was taken sick very suddenly two weeks before her death and she was at once rushed to the hospital where a gall bladder operation was performed. Though her case was regarded as quite serious for several days following the operation, she rallied later and seemed to be gradually and safely regaining her former health. She was seated in a hospital chair when she suddenly passed away without any warning to hospital nurse or relatives who were with her.

The news of Mrs. Dirks' death came as a serious shock to the family and to their many friends. The remains were brought to the home Thursday evening. Funeral services were held at the home at 2 p.m. Sunday and later at Drake's church. Rev. Drake, who was away on vacation and who had not expected to return until a week later, came home as soon as he received the message of Mrs. Dirks' death. Burial was in the Drake church cemetery.

Obituary
Henriette Elizabeth Dirks, nee Smit, was born October 26, 1888, in Dexter township, Richland county, North Dakota. In April of 1889 she, with her parents, moved to Grundy county, Iowa, where she lived ever since.

On November 27, 1912, she was united in marriage with John S. Dirks, from which union five children were born, two of whom died in infancy.

About two weeks previous to her death she was suddenly seized with a severe pain and was immediately taken to the hospital and operated upon. She quickly rallied and was waiting for the word from the doctor to return home, when suddenly there was a change for the worse and she passed away May 31, 1934, at the age of 45 years, 6 months and 25 days.

She was a full communicant member of the Holland Presbyterian church and a faithful teacher in the Sunday school. With her quiet, unassuming ways she won many friends who will miss her.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, John S. Dirks; three children, Harriet, Edward and Hilda; her father, Mr. J. R. Smit of Grundy Center; five sisters, Mrs. C. W. Engelkes of Parkersburg, Mrs. H. Hendricks of Wellsburg, Mrs. Fred Abels of Wellsburg, and Nettie and Christena Smit of Grundy Center; one brother, Henry J. Smit of this vicinity; the husband's parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Dirks, Grundy Center; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Franken of Grundy, brother- and sister-in-law; Mrs. Ella Dirks, a sister-in-law, and a host of friends and neighbors.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 7 June 1934, pg 10