1943 – Mary Ellen Dierks – 2019
Mary Dierks was born on March 5, 1943 in Slayton, Minnesota to Clarence and Evelyn Ackerman Lucker. She grew up on the family farm east of Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1961. On July 9, 1966 she and Garry Dierks were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda, MN. Following their marriage they made their home in Slayton and Mary worked at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton as a LPN. Mary retired in 2001. Mary passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 76. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was active in the Dorcas Society and the Ladies Aid. She also was member of the Murray County Medical Center Auxiliary and the Red Hat Ladies. Mary enjoyed time with her family, going to her grandkids activities, traveling, car cruises and watching the Minnesota Twins.
Survivors include her husband, Garry Dierks, Slayton, MN, three children, Michael Dierks and his wife, Dody, Elko New Market, MN, Kristen Gertsema, St. James, MN, and Lori Dierks and Sean Boots, Willmar, MN, four grandchildren, Payton Dierks, Madison Gertsema, Kennedy Gertsema and Dawson Gertsema, three siblings, Carol and Richard Engelkes, Slayton, MN, Diane and James Engelkes, Slayton, MN, and Brian and Jan Lucker, Norwood Young America, MN, and several nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Brad Gertsema, and father-in-law, Ervin Dierks.
Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Shawn Ethridge and Rev. Dennis Brech officiating. The organist was Kathy Schwartz with special music by Heidi Winter. The pallbearers were Jody Penoyer, Mark Staples, Craigen Dierks, Travis Engelkes, Brad Lucker, and Eric Lucker. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.
Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
