Ernest Leo Dirks was born May 20, 1933, to Ernest and Alda Unruh Dirks in Copeland, Kansas. He died on November 1, 2024, at Sunset Home, Bonners Ferry. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Mountain View Mennonite Church, 510752 US-95, Bonners Ferry. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, also at Mountain View Mennonite Church.
Ministers Glen Ensz, Shane Ensz, and Ben Nystrom will officiated and interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
Ernie was baptized April 18, 1950, into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, and remained faithful to his vows all his life.
On June 27, 1954, Ernie married JoAnn Mastre in Bonners Ferry. She was his loving companion for over 70 years. They finished the remainder of his 1-W Service time in Los Angeles, California. He had many lasting memories of his time there. After service was completed, they returned to Bonners Ferry.
Ernie and JoAnn were blessed with seven children. Dad enjoyed family times and perked up when the grandchildren came. He never tired of the pristine mountain air and the fresh scent of pine trees. Favorite family times included camping, fishing and picking huckleberries.
Dad farmed with his brother Curtis in the Kootenai Valley, working hard to provide for their families. The lives of other people interested him. He would strike up a conversation with folks at a nearby table in a café and would invite his neighbors or hay customers in for a cup of coffee. Another highlight in their lives was the year they spent in the mission at Dodge City, Kansas.
In his retirement years Ernie found enjoyment in woodworking, often gifting friends and family with his useful handiwork. At Christmas the youngest schoolchildren were delighted with the little wooden cars he made for them. He also made many wooden frames for special calendars he and JoAnn handed out yearly to teachers, friends, and family.
Dad will be missed by his loving wife, JoAnn, children Greg and Onalee Dirkes, Bonners Ferry, Gayle and Alan Holderman and Gwen and Dale Holderman, Buhl, Idaho, Patrick and Jolene Dirks, Cynthia and David Peaster, Kendall and Lonetta Dirks, all of Bonners Ferry, and Julie and Kent Wedel, Grant, Nebraska, 29 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild, brothers Dennis and Donna Dirks and Bob and Mechelle Dirks, sisters Dessie Regehr, Joanne and Bob Mastre, and Darlene and Willie Peacher, sisters-in-law Judy Dirks, Carol Mastre, Marlyn Mastre, and Delores Mastre, brother-in-law Bill and Barbara Mastre and a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends. Ernie was preceded in death by one grandson, his parents, five siblings, and 16 in laws.
The family wishes to especially thank the Sunset Home staff for their attentive and thoughtful care of Ernie in his last days. It meant so much and made the last mile of the way easier for us all.