Vernon Dirksen
d. October 16, 2014
Vernon Dirksen was born October 1, 1916 in Loquard, Germany, the son of Weert and Berendina Dirksen. He passed away Thursday October 16, 2014 at the Clara City Care Center.
The Dirksen family came to the United States when Vernon was 8 years old and they made their home on a farm near Gluek. He attended country school and began farming with his father at a young age.
Vernon served his country in the United States Army during World War II, receiving his honorable discharge in 1945.
On March 6, 1946 Vernon was united in marriage to Selma Slagter at the Prinsburg Christian Reformed Church. To this union three children were born. Vernon continued to farm and they made their home east of Prinsburg for three years. They moved west of Clara City for several years.
In 1964 they moved east of Clara City, which became the family homestead, and continued farming until 1974. After his retirement they moved to Clara City.
He was a member of Bethany Reformed Church where he served as a church elder, deacon, and was on the Rhiederland township board. Vernon enjoyed keeping up with civic events and world news. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and going for rides to check on the crops were also fun and cherished times in his life. He was known to have a good sense of humor and was always “teasing” and even till the end continued with the staff at the care center.
Vernon is survived by his children: Jean (Dick) Lessman of Willmar; Robert (Diann) Dirksen of Clara City; Diane (Dave) Jones of Willmar; grandchildren: Shannon Lessman, Sara Lessman, Christopher (Jessica) Lessman, Shawna (fiancé Todd) Schmitt, Jeremy (Allison) Dirksen, Stasha (Rob) Mittra, Justin (Kara) Dirksen, Robbie (Rachelle) Dirksen, Tina (Todd) Johnson, Travis (Alicia) Jones; great grandchildren: Christian, Riley, and Braden Lessman; Drey, Chase, and Beau Dirksen; Brady, Hannah, and Jayden Haukos; Logan and Luke Dirksen; Jaxson, Jase, and Breanna Dirksen; Nolan, Analise, and Kira Johnson; Ayla and Gage Jones; Ava and Rohan Mittra; sister, Fannie Seeman of Montevideo; sisters-in-law: Fern Dirksen of Clara City; Lauretta (Pete) VanderLugt of Edgerton; Francis Van Aalsburg of Michigan; Carol Slagter of Willmar.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Selma Dirksen in 2011; parents: Weert and Berendina Dirksen; brothers: Ben, George, Henry Dirksen; brother–in-law Harold Seeman; grandson-in-law Mike Schmitt and a great grandchild in infancy.
The Dirksen family came to the United States when Vernon was 8 years old and they made their home on a farm near Gluek. He attended country school and began farming with his father at a young age.
Vernon served his country in the United States Army during World War II, receiving his honorable discharge in 1945.
On March 6, 1946 Vernon was united in marriage to Selma Slagter at the Prinsburg Christian Reformed Church. To this union three children were born. Vernon continued to farm and they made their home east of Prinsburg for three years. They moved west of Clara City for several years.
In 1964 they moved east of Clara City, which became the family homestead, and continued farming until 1974. After his retirement they moved to Clara City.
He was a member of Bethany Reformed Church where he served as a church elder, deacon, and was on the Rhiederland township board. Vernon enjoyed keeping up with civic events and world news. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and going for rides to check on the crops were also fun and cherished times in his life. He was known to have a good sense of humor and was always “teasing” and even till the end continued with the staff at the care center.
Vernon is survived by his children: Jean (Dick) Lessman of Willmar; Robert (Diann) Dirksen of Clara City; Diane (Dave) Jones of Willmar; grandchildren: Shannon Lessman, Sara Lessman, Christopher (Jessica) Lessman, Shawna (fiancé Todd) Schmitt, Jeremy (Allison) Dirksen, Stasha (Rob) Mittra, Justin (Kara) Dirksen, Robbie (Rachelle) Dirksen, Tina (Todd) Johnson, Travis (Alicia) Jones; great grandchildren: Christian, Riley, and Braden Lessman; Drey, Chase, and Beau Dirksen; Brady, Hannah, and Jayden Haukos; Logan and Luke Dirksen; Jaxson, Jase, and Breanna Dirksen; Nolan, Analise, and Kira Johnson; Ayla and Gage Jones; Ava and Rohan Mittra; sister, Fannie Seeman of Montevideo; sisters-in-law: Fern Dirksen of Clara City; Lauretta (Pete) VanderLugt of Edgerton; Francis Van Aalsburg of Michigan; Carol Slagter of Willmar.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Selma Dirksen in 2011; parents: Weert and Berendina Dirksen; brothers: Ben, George, Henry Dirksen; brother–in-law Harold Seeman; grandson-in-law Mike Schmitt and a great grandchild in infancy.
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