Dirks, Garry John 1941 - 2006

DIRKS, POPKEN, REHDER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/10/2010 at 14:03:07

Garry J. Dirks

Date of Death
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Garry J. Dirks, 65, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Le Mars, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in Mesa, Arizona.

Garry John Dirks was born October 21, 1941 to John and Marie (Popken) Dirks in Le Mars, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Grant Township. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1960. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1960-1963. During that time period he was stationed at Wurzberg, Germany for 32 months in the 3rd Infantry Division.

He was united in marriage to Donna Rehder on April 22, 1967 in Calumet, Iowa. He was employed at the U.S. Post Office in Le Mars from 1963-1969. He moved to Mesa, AZ in 1969 and was employed at Arizona State University, Department of Public Safety, Tempe, AZ until retiring as a Sergeant in 1990. From 1991-2001 he was employed at Chandler Unified School District as Security Guard at Anderson Junior High School.

Throughout his life he enjoyed the company of his close buddies while fishing and hunting. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Donna Dirks of Mesa, AZ; two aunts, Edna Hardacre and Josie Popken both of Le Mars, IA; extended family members include mother-in-law, Yvonne Rehder of Calumet, IA; two sister-in-laws, Nancy Bappe and husband, Bruce, of Lakewood, CO and Karla Dahlinger of Thornton, CO; brother-in-law, David Rehder and wife, Ida of Golden, CO; seven nieces and nephews, Lisa Murphy and husband, Lance, Tim Bappe, Chad Dahlinger, Brooke Dahlinger, Justin Rehder, Kelli Rehder and Michala Rehder, three great-nephews, Jacob Murphy, Trace Murphy, and Taylor Dahlinger, and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Burdette Rehder, and a great-nephew, Tyler Murphy.

Memorials may be sent to Banner Gardens Hospice House, 7231 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona, 85208.

Visitations will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with Reverend Daniel Gerrietts of Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion Post #724 of Brunsville will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Immediately following the funeral there will be a time of fellowship with the family prior to the interment service.

Memorials may be sent to Banner Gardens Hospice House, 7231 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona, 85208.

Source: Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa