Donald A Dirks

Donald Alan Dirks of Horseshoe Bay, Texas was born on June 17, 1925 to Evert O. (E.O.) & Emma Dirks, in Alton, Illinois. E.O. was a Presbyterian minister and served in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin so the family moved around a lot. Don graduated from school in Galesville, Wisconsin in 1942. He went to a vocational school in Eau Claire and LaCrosse, Wisconsin and enlisted in the Army in October 1944. He was sent to Fort Knox for tank school. In March 1945 he got on the Queen Elizabeth and got off in Scotland. He was part of the United States Army Third Armored Division serving honorably in World War II. He got back to the United States in 1946.

In August of 1950 Don was diagnosed with polio and spent the next 9 months at Elizabeth Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis. After leaving Sister Kenny he went to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and enrolled in vocational school taking bookkeeping. He met Lorraine in 1951 through a friend who was a patient at Swedish Hospital rehab center where Lorraine was working. Their first date was on Halloween weekend. They were married on June 7, 1952 at the Methodist Church in West Concord, Minnesota where Lorraine's family lived until she was 11. They returned to Eau Claire where they set up housekeeping. Their first apartment was a 2 room trailer without plumbing. They had an ice box with ice that was replaced every other day. Their bathroom was across the street. They were there a couple of months and then moved into an apartment in town. From there they moved to Minneapolis where Don had a job and Debbie was born. They were there about a year and then moved back to Chippewa Falls where they remained until 1978 when they moved to Texas. All 3 sons were born in Chippewa Falls.

Don and Lorraine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June with a great party.

Don was an active member of the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Marble Falls for 34 years. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star in Marble Falls and Central Texas. Don and Lorraine served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron 3 different times.

Don was always active in the Presbyterian Church. He was installed as Elder and served in both Chippewa Falls and Marble Falls. He served as moderator of Chippewa Presbytery, and an several Synod committees until they moved to Texas. He was a Cub Scout pack leader and was active in Boy Scouts and received the Order of the Arrow.

Don walked with a cane until 1990 when he got his first electric cart. The cart allowed him to keep up with Lorraine.

Don is survived by his wife, Lorraine, daughter, Debbie & husband Darby Reid of Spring Branch, Texas; 2 sons, Daryl of Spring Branch, Texas and Jon & wife, Elaine, of Jacksonville, Florida; 5 grandchildren, Matthew Reid, Michael Dirks, Dale Dirks, Andrea Dirks and Rachel Dirks; 6 great-grandchildren, Hunter Reid, Kendall Reid, Joshua, Jacob and Emma Dirks, and Dylon Dirks; sister, Charlotte Griffin & husband Ronald and sister-in-law Lea Dirks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, James, and brothers, Richard and Robert.

Don became ill on October 20th with bronchial asthma. He entered Scott and White hospital in Llano Thursday morning and passed away early Friday morning. Now he can run and dance without his brace.

Memorial service will be Monday, October 29, 2102 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Brantley officiating.

Memorials may be made to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church or Presbyterian Children’s Home, 4407 Bee Cave Rd Suite 520, Austin, TX 78746.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com