Joan Maren (Smith) DIRKSEN

DIRKSEN, SMITH, PETERSEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/1/2013 at 02:46:30

October 1, 1932 ---- November 10, 2013

Joan M. Dirksen, 81, of Clear Lake passed away Sunday November 10, 2013 at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City. A funeral Service will be held at 2 pm, Wednesday November 13, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm, Tuesday November 12, 2013 at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in Joan’s memory.

Joan Maren Dirksen, the daughter of Earle and Edna (Petersen) Smith was born October 1, 1932 in rural Klemme, Iowa. She attended country school up to the eighth grade, went on to Klemme School, and graduated from Ventura High School in 1949. After graduating she worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines as a clerk. Joan was united in marriage on October 20, 1951 to Mervin J. Dirksen in Garner, Iowa. They spent 62 years together. They started their lives together in Des Moines, moving next to Mason City where their first son was born. They then moved to Des Moines where a second son was born, then to Ankeny where Joan started her career as a teacher’s associate, which lasted for 17 years.

After both Joan and Mervin were retired they moved to Clear Lake. Joan enjoyed quilting, crafts, pets, gardening, walking, boating, fishing, being outdoors and golfing. Joan and Mervin would travel to Indiana to visit their grandchildren. They also enjoyed their grandchildren coming to visit them during the summer months. They also had a motorhome, and enjoyed traveling to Branson, MO to see Andy Williams. Though she battled with cancer for nearly four years, her positive attitude and uplifting spirit was a reflection of who she was, and an inspiration to her family.

She is survived by her husband, Mervin J. Dirksen; sons, Scott Dirksen, Clear Lake, Kevin (Dawn) Dirksen, Columbus, IN; grandchildren Matthew Dirksen and Stefan Dirksen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earle and Edna (Petersen) Smith. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North 4th Street, Clear Lake.

http://www.colonialchapels.com/obituaries/Joan-Dirksen/#!/Obituary