Walter 'Walt' R. Dirksen

Mason City - Walter Walt Dirksen, 85, of rural Plymouth passed from this life to eternal glory on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 670 12th Street NE, Mason City, with the Rev. James Grabitske officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, July 29, 2011, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Walter Roy Dirksen was born April 14, 1926, in Mason City, the son of Oldeig Diedrick Ole Richard and Eva Belle (Newton) Dirksen. He attended schools in Hampton and Mason City. His family lived in different areas in North Iowa during Walts youth as his father sought employment, but most years were spent in Hampton and in Mason City.
On April 13, 1952 (Easter Sunday), he married Lorraine Esther Martin at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. They were married for 59 blessed years. For most of their married life they lived in Mason City, moving to the Martin Farmstead near Plymouth in 2001.
During his career, Walt worked for the Mason City School system, S.S. Kresege, and United Home Bank (Bank of America). He retired from the bank in 1986, after almost 27 years of service.
Walt was very proud of his having donated over 16 gallons of blood during his lifetime. He was a charter member of Gethsemane (now Prince of Peace) Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities over the years. Walt enjoyed hunting and fishing, but took the most pleasure in the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole (1974) and Eva (1965); brothers Robert Bob (2009) and Floyd (2002); sisters Catherine Katie Schmidt Ziegler (1997) and Shirley Jaspersen (1968); brothers-in-law Luther Lou Schmidt (1971), Milton Martin (2001), and Gilbert Martin (1985); sister-in-law Theodora Babe (Pappas) Dirksen (1993); father-in-law Alfred Martin (1987); and mother-in-law Clara (Reeg) Martin (1980).
Walt is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children: Phil (Shelly) of Des Moines, Paul (Chris) of Mason City, Joel (Margrete) of rural Plymouth, and John (Verna) of Clarion; grandchildren: Christa (Scott) Ryg of rural Plymouth, Amy Dirksen of Milwaukee, WI, Daniel (Danielle) Dirksen of rural Plymouth, Eric Dirksen of rural Plymouth, Nathan Dirksen of Mason City, Ryan Dirksen of Mason City, John Roger "J.R." Dirksen of Mason City, Laken Rodemaker of Clarion, Arien Rodemaker of Clarion, Sierra Dirksen of Clarion, Matthew Dirksen of Des Moines, and Joshua Dirksen of Des Moines; four great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law: Arlo (June) Jaspersen of Albert Lea, MN, Arlon Ike Ziegler of Mason City, and LeRoy (Sharon) Martin of Port Charlotte, FL; sister-in-law Evelyn (Allos) Martin Sanabria of Readstown, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Cemetery:
Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation:
Visitation will be Friday, July 29, 2011, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave in Mason City and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Service:
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 670 12th Street NE, Mason City, with the Rev. James Grabitske officiating.