Opal Mae Unruh Dirks

Opal Mae Unruh Dirks was born to Odes B. Unruh and Sadie Jantz Unruh on Sept. 2, 1927, in Copeland, Kansas.

When her mother’s health was threatened by dust pneumonia, they moved to Idaho in April 1936. Working with her mother Opal gained many skills. At 14, Opal went to work outside of the home, living with her employers during the week but returning home for the weekend.  

Revival meetings were held at the Sheridan School, where Opal gave her heart to God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in February 1941.

Henry R. Dirks married Opal on April 14, 1946. They shared 54 1/2 happy years together, though dimmed by Opal’s polio and the loss of a baby daughter in 1955. Son Bill David and daughter Rosemary remained to enliven the household, and in 1966 Sandra Jane arrived. The children remember their mom as a busy homemaker and teacher. By her daily life, she proved she loved the Lord. 

The family expresses their gratitude to the workers at Sunset for the loving care given to their mother for more than 7 years until her passing on Dec. 2, 2020.

Left to cherish her memory are a son, Bill Dirks; two daughters, Rosemary (Lyle Unruh), and Sandra (Thomas Koehn,) Bonners Ferry, Idaho; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Odes Phil (Jeraldine), Bonners Ferry, and Chester Unruh, Nampa, Idaho; one sister-in-law, Doris Jantz, Bonners Ferry. 

She was predeceased by her husband, one daughter, one daughter-in-law, her parents, one sister, one brother, two sisters-in-law, and all but one of Henry’s siblings and their spouses.  

Services were held at Mountain View Congregation in Bonners Ferry on Dec. 7, 2020. Ministers Ben Nystrom, Roger Unruh, and Jim Dyck officiated. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.