Lyle D. Dirks

Lyle D. Dirks, age 86, of Ocheyedan, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ocheyedan. Rev. Russell Anderson officiating. Burial in the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan. Visitation will be Friday, January 11, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Chapel in Ocheyedan. Lyle Douglas Dirks was born on September 24, 1921, in Allendorf, Iowa. He was the son of Claus and Marie (Ihle) Dirks. He lived his youth in rural Allendorf, where he attended a country school. He also attended school in Ocheyedan and high school in Sibley. Lyle was drafted into the service in 1942. After basic training he passed a test to be accepted into the Army Air Corp Program. He was a B-17 pilot and held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while flying in Europe. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He flew 30 missions and was honorably discharged in 1945. He was united in marriage to LaVonne Alice Glade of Ocheyedan, Iowa, on August 16, 1944, in Worthington, Minnesota. They lived in Gulfport, Mississippi, until they moved to Ocheyedan and farmed. They later moved to Long Beach, California, where Lyle worked in the Oil Refineries. They also lived in Westminster, California, where Lyle worked with construction. They moved to Lebanon, Oregon, where they had a small farm with livestock and Lyle worked in a plywood factory. In 1969, they moved back to Ocheyedan, where they farmed for 13 years. In 1984, they retired and moved into Ocheyedan, after their home was built. In 1999, they enjoyed traveling to London, England, where he had served in the military. He taught 4th graders in Ocheyedan and Lakefield and Sioux Valley, Minnesota, about his experiences flying in Europe in the military. Lyle's children are very proud of their father. He loved to take time for his children and grandchildren, and teach them about life, and how to fish, hunt and trap. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ocheyedan and the American Legion. He passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife: LaVonne Dirks of Ocheyedan, IA; his children: Larry Dirks of Arlington, TX, Leanne and Gilbert Greenfield of rural Sibley, IA, Lynette and Larry Andrew of Guadalajara, Mexico, Loren and Diann Dirks of Auburn, GA, Lane and Sue Dirks of rural Ocheyedan, IA, Lorri and Jeff Lillquist of Lakefield, MN, Lisa Dirks of Sheldon, IA; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one nephew: Dayton and Trudy Molendorp of Indianapolis, ID. He was preceded in death by his grandson: David Andrew; his parents; one sister and brother-in-law: Letha and Harold Molendorp. In Loving Memory Of Lyle D. Dirks Born: September 24, 1921 Passed Away: January 8, 2008 Age: 86 years, 3 months and 15 days FUNERAL SERVICE Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. St. Peter Lutheran Church, Ocheyedan, Iowa Family Prayer Service at 10:15 A.M. OFFICIATING Rev. Russell Anderson Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10 MUSIC Organist: Carol Turner Special music by Lorri Lillquist Song: "Crown Him With Many Crowns" Congregational Songs Processional: "Jerusalem The Golden" # 613 During the service: "O Savior, Precious Savior" # 352 "Behold A Host Arrayed In White" # 656 Recessional: "Beautiful Savior" # 657 CASKET BEARERS Gary Greenfield Greg Greenfield Glen Greenfield Brad Dirks Kevin Andrew Rick Andrew HONORARY CASKET BEARERS Taylor Lillquist John Dirks Damon Dirks INTERMENT Ocheyedan Township Cemetery, Ocheyedan, Iowa Following interment, the family invites all for fellowship and lunch at the church. ARRANGEMENTS BY Andringa Funeral Home Larry R. Andringa, Funeral Director