Joan M. Dirksen

Joan M. Dirksen, 81, of Clear Lake, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.  A funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in Joan’s memory.

Joan Maren Dirksen, the daughter of Earle and Edna (Petersen) Smith, was born Oct. 1, 1932 in rural Klemme, Iowa.  She attended country school up until the eighth grade, went on to attend Klemme School, and graduated from Ventura High School in 1949.  After graduating, she worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines, Iowa, as a clerk.

Joan was united in marriage on Oct. 20, 1951 to Mervin J. Dirksen in Garner, Iowa.  They spent 62 years together.  They started their lives together in Des Moines, moving next to Mason City, where their first son was born.  Then they moved to Des Moines, where a second son was born, and then they moved to Ankeny, where Joan started her career as a teacher’s associate, which lasted for 17 years.

After both Joan and Mervin were retired, they moved to Clear Lake.  Joan enjoyed quilting, crafts, pets, gardening, walking, boating, fishing, being outdoors and golfing.  Joan and Mervin would travel to Indiana to visit their grandchildren. They also enjoyed their grandchildren coming to visit them during the summer months.  They also had a motorhome, and enjoyed traveling to Branson, Mo., to see Andy Williams.

Though she battled with cancer for nearly four years, her positive attitude and uplifting spirit was a reflection of who she was, and an inspiration to her family.

She is survived by her husband, Mervin J. Dirksen; sons, Scott Dirksen, Clear Lake, Kevin (Dawn) Dirksen, Columbus, Ind.; grandchildren, Matthew Dirksen and Stefan Dirksen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earle and Edna (Petersen) Smith.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.