Larry Dean Dirks
Larry Dean Dirks
Larry Dean Dirks, 76, passed away suddenly April 2nd at home as he was working, helping a customer outside. His grandson Kyle was able to get to him in time to give comfort and hold him in his arms.
Larry was born July 19, 1939 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, delivered by his grandma, Lena Unruh, at home, the 9th of 11 children born to Ernest and Alda Unruh Dirks. He received all his education in Bonners Ferry. He and his wife of 55 years, Judy, met in Kansas City, Kansas where he was in service at Kansas University Medical Center, assisting the Recreation Therapist in the psychiatric department where she was a registered nurse. They returned to Bonners Ferry in 1961. He worked on the Ball Creek Road, at the Moyie Lumber Mill, logged. With H.C. Studer he started the local Purina store, had his own logging business and had a large commercial hog farm, all at the same time. After 28 years he stopped raising hogs, except the children’s 4H pigs, and started the All Purpose Storage business which continues today. He said he enjoyed everything he did.
Larry was baptized in and an active member of the United Methodist Church where at various times he served as Administrative Council Chair, Finance Chair, Trustee, and president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer of the United Methodist Men. He also served on the Twinlow Camp and Retreat Board. He very much enjoyed going on Volunteer in Mission trips, twice to Alaska, once to Hawaii, and once to Red Bird Missionary Conference.
He was involved in many ways in the community, always saying “yes” when there was a need and he was asked. He served on the Fair Board, was a 4H leader and assisted with the FFA program. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as treasurer and currently as secretary. He had been treasurer and president of the Moyie Shrine Club, served on the Friends of the Restorium Board, served on the Paradise Valley Fire Board. Currently he was on the Board of Guardians, chair of the SPOT Bus Committee, and chair of the Restorium Advisory Board. He was quick to respond to the needs of his children, friends and neighbors.
Larry received many community and church honors including FFA and Market Animal Sale appreciation awards, Twinlow Camp special recognition by the United Methodist Men, Calam and Moyie Shrine Club outstanding Shriner, Moyie Shrine Club President’s Award, and Mason of the Year.
Larry married Judy Rohr in 1961 at Cherokee Christian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. They were foster parents to 12 children and had several exchange students while their own six children were at home: Debra Louise Dirks, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Dean Allen Dirks, who passed away during his senior year of high school; Kevin Wade and wife Sheryl, Bonners Ferry; Amy JoNell and husband, Lee Nelson, Newman Lake, Washington; Beth Allison and husband, Dean Giffing, Post Falls, Idaho; Douglas Ryan and wife, Lisa, Bonners Ferry. He was most proud of his children and all nine grandchildren, Casey, Kyle, Michaela Dirks; Derek and Mitchell Nelson; Tyler and Bryce Giffing; Ivy and Tucker Dirks.
He enjoyed the holidays with a full house, attending their ball games, concerts, dance recitals and special events whenever possible. For every birthday possible he made the homemade ice cream.
Preceding him were parents, son Dean, brothers Clarence and Curt Dirks, sisters Ethel Peaster and Fern Boese, and infant sister Gladys, brother-in law Glen Peaster.