Robert Dirks

Robert W. "Bob" Dirks, 89, of 528 Maitland Drive, Chippewa Falls, died Saturday morning, Sept. 4, 2010 at Our House Memory Care in Chippewa Falls while under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

He was born March 27, 1921 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Rev. Evert O. and Emma D. (Hepperle) Dirks. His father was a minister and was called to serve at several locations, so Bob was raised in the Midwest and graduated in 1939 from Galesville High School in Galesville. He then attended college one year in Dubuque until he was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII. Bob went off to war with the promise of having the love of his life, Lea, waiting for him back stateside. For 3 1/2 years, her letters kept him grounded and able to focus on his patriotic tasks of securing peace and freedom in the European Theatre, serving in England, France and Belgium.

Bob married Leatrice "Lea" Sonenberg on January 19, 1946 in Weyawega. The marriage ceremony was conducted by Bob's father, Rev. Evert Dirks. After their marriage, they resided in north Minneapolis for one year where they owned and operated an ice cream bar in partnership with Lea's aunt and uncle, Lillian and Jack Lundeen. They attended a Coast-to-Coast Hardware convention in Minneapolis and then purchased a hardware store in Albia, Iowa, which they owned and operated for two years. They moved to Chippewa Falls in 1950 to be closer to family in Wisconsin and Minnesota. They owned and operated the Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store on Spring Street in Chippewa Falls until their retirement in 1989.

Bob was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder, Session Member and Head Usher over many years. The service of providing breakfast to the Optimist Club for nine years was a highlight during his retirement. He was proud to volunteer on the Chippewa Falls Fire Dept. and surrounding area fire depts. for 10 years. Bob and Lea enjoyed traveling in all 50 states, Europe and the Holy Lands. Many vacations were with Holiday Travel and Betty Larson Tours. His decline with Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's forced them to leave their beloved lake home on Little Lake Wissota. This past May, the Our House Memory Center welcomed him and provided outstanding care for our entire family.

Survivors include his wife, Lea of Chippewa Falls; two daughters, Linda Dirks of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Donna (Bill) Meier of Chippewa Falls; a sister, Charlotte (Ronald) Griffin of Edgerton, Minn.; a brother, Donald (Lorraine) Dirks of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; five grandchildren, Travis Meier; Kevin (Karrie) Meier and their children, Lillian and Jonah; Carla (Tom) Golden and their children, Gillian and Thomas; Jerod (Joanna Bungartz) Meier and their daughter, Jaiden; and Sarah (Kirk Olson) Meier.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his twin brother, Richard Dirks.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Dr. Barry Boyer officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.

Memorials in Bob's honor are preferred to the Robert and Leatrice Dirks Coast-to-Coast Endowment Fund, c/o the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, the proceeds of which will benefit First Presbyterian Church, Irvine Park, the American Flag Monument at the Heyde Center for the Arts and the Main St. Beautification Project, or a donation to the charity of your choice is appreciated.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the Dirks family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.

Afterservice

A funeral service for Robert W. "Bob" Dirks, 89, Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls. Rev. Dr. Barry Boyer officiated and music was provided by organist, Barbara Sandford and vocalist, Barb Smith.

Military honors were conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council and Alec Bohan bugled "Taps". Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the Dirks family.