Harold Keith Dirks

Harold Keith Dirks passed away on March 14, 2011, in Montezuma, Kan.  Funeral dervices were held on Monday, March 21, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. in the Woodland Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with interment following in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Harold Keith Dirks was born Jan. 26, 1924, to Ben and Martha (Jantz) Dirks at Durham, Kan.

He peacefully passed away on March 14, 2011, with family by his side at Montezuma, Kan., reaching age 87.

Due to the Dust Dowl days, he moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with his family in a 1935 ford pickup at age 12. Their first home was a log house they rented for $10 a month.

He was converted at the age of 20 and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on March 3, 1944. He remained faithful to the end.

While in camp in California, he met Emma Grace Friesen. They were married on Sept. 29, 1946, at Winton, Calif. They enjoyed 64 years together until his wife passed away Oct. 26, 2010, leaving her husband very lonely.

After camp they made their home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Where he had various occupations, including operating a sawmill and farming. In 1969 they moved to Brazil in a pickup camper with six of their children, where he enjoyed farming for 20 years. They moved back to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1989. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren.

When their health started to decline they moved to an assisted living home in Moscow, Idaho to be near some of their children. In 2008 they moved to Bethel Home.

He leaves to mourn his passing four sons and three daughters. Jay and Janice, Les and Betty, Potlatch, Idaho, Leo and Mim, Brazil, Fred and Denise, Iroquois, South Dakota. Bonnie and Eldon Penner, Brazil, Greta Dirks, Montezuma, Kansas, Shirley and Paul Koepl, Viola, Idaho.

He had 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by sisters-in-law Jeanette Dirks, Clara Koehn, Bernettie and husband Abe Loewen, Mabel and husband Jim Cryan. Brothers-in-law Herb Friesen and wife Nora, and Alvin Hiebert, and a host of relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, one infant daughter, one granddaughter, two great-grandchildren, one brother, one sister, one brother-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Family and friends are invited to sign Harold’s  book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.