Eldean Marie (Unruh) Dirks
Obituary
Eldean Marie (Unruh) Dirks, 87, passed quietly to eternal
life on Monday (Dec. 20, 2010) surrounded by her son and nephews.
She was born in Coldwater on March 23, 1923. During her
school years, she walked two miles to a one-room school. For high school, she
boarded in Coldwater along with her sister, Thelma. She enjoyed home economics,
playing the violin and singing in the chorus.
After graduation, she moved to Pawnee Rock (where her
sister, Geneva Unruh, lived) to look for a job. While she attended the Bergthal
Mennonite Church, she was baptized on her confession of faith on Nov. 22, 1942.
She saw a good-looking blonde man in the choir at Bergthal and decided he was
for her. That was Jim Dirks and he became her love, husband and companion for
over 50 years after they were married on Sept. 5, 1942, at Bergthal Mennonite
Church.
They lived in Idaho and Pennsylvania while Jim was in
Civilian Public Service during World War Two. Later they moved to a Pawnee Rock
farm.
Eldean became a community and church leader. Often she and
he would sing a duet at church. A son, Dean, was born in 1947.
Eldean continued to work at Penney's and was a bookkeeper
for the Sand and Gravel business they owned. In 1965 they moved to Newton, and
Jim joined the Hesston Corporation. Eldean sold shoes for 20 years at Frontier
Shoe Store. They were on the board for Et Cetera for many years, which was a
joy for both of them.
Eldean can list a whole lot of favorites: Family, which
includes her son, Dean, and wife, Jane Dirks; #1 grandson, Chad, and wife, Julie
Dirks, and great-grandchild, Landen Dirks, all of Chicago; nephews, Donovan
(Naomi) Unruh, Darrel (Wanda) Unruh, all of Newton, and Dennis (Kathy) Unruh of
Wichita. She also enjoyed reading biographies, doing jigsaw puzzles and going
to coffee with friends. She had set and scheduled days with some of her friends
for coffee and chatting. Playing bridge and SkipBo on game nights were a
special delight for her, and faithfully each week she studied her Sunday School
lesson and attended church to round out her activities for the week.
Eldean also enjoyed bird watching and studying geography as
it related to events in the daily world news. In her younger years she would
have added fishing and camping to the list of activities for a full and
productive life.
In 1995 they moved to Kidron Bethel. Jim died in 1999, and
the patio without him was a lonely place. But it is always a special joy to
visit Dean and Jane, Chad and Julie in Chicago.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ella
(Schmidt) Unruh; brothers, Elmer and George Unruh; and sisters, Geneva Unruh
and Thelma Thomasson.
The visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a
memorial service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, both at the Faith Mennonite Church, 627
Northridge Road in Newton. Pastor Gordon Smith is the officiate.
Baker Funeral Home in Valley Center is in charge of the
arrangements.
1923 - 2010 (87 years)