Obituary

Salome Ruth Dirks Sperling of Moundridge passed into eternity August 18, 2014.

She was born was born August 22, 1920 as the fourth of five children to Jacob and Anna Zuercher Dirks, when they were homesteading near Hydro, Montana. After the family moved back to Kansas, her formative years were spent around Whitewater and Halstead. The highlight of her childhood took place at age five during evangelistic meetings at Swiss Church near Whitewater. When the invitation was given, she sat there as long as she could, knowing that she too was a sinner in need of salvation. Finally she went forward to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.

Salome married Marlin Sperling on June 15, 1939. Marlin was a route man for the Moundridge Cooperative Creamery for 25 years, then served as administrator at Memorial Home for over 13 years. Marlin and Salome raised five sons. Salome poured her life into being a full-time homemaker and felt that being a mother was the most challenging and satisfying role in her life.  Instrumental and vocal music was a vital part of family life. Marlin and Salome poured their lives into ministry. They actively served the Lord at Garden Community Church, where Salome served as pianist and organist for many years and was active in the Sunday School Department.
They served for years with The Gideons International, an association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus through sharing personally and by providing Bibles and New Testaments. Salome taught Good News Clubs for children, and was a president of the Moundridge PTA. As a couple, Marlin and Salome actively supported Maranatha Bible Camp near North Platte, Nebraska for many years.

An outgoing personality, careful attention to detail, and a keen interest in getting to know people were some of Salome's personal trademarks. Memorizing Scripture was all-important to her.  Of greatest importance to her was raising her family for the Lord so that each of them would live his life to the praise and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. She and Marlin invested in the financial and prayerful support of the Church, Missionaries, and various gospel ministries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers, and her husband. She is survived by her sister Floreine Dirks of Moundridge; her five sons and their wives: Ron and Karen of Lincoln, NE; Norm and Pat of Moorseville, NC; Larry and Donna of Moundridge; Shelly and Marvetta of Wagoner, OK; Tom and Connie of Glenwood, IA. Her family has also been blessed with thirteen grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Visitation at Moundridge Funeral Home will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday with family present from 6 until 8. A memorial service will be at Garden Community Church on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Memorial gifts may be given to The Gideons International or Garden Church missions.