(Josephine) Marjorie Koehn Dirks

(Josephine) Marjorie Koehn Dirks, 88, Montezuma, KS, was born to Jonathan and Fanny Jantz Koehn on July 5, 1921, at Sitka, KS. She passed away on April 19, 2010, in Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City, KS.

She spent her childhood years and received her education in the Kiowa County, KS, area. In her early teens, her parents moved to the DeRidder, LA, area. After several years, she returned with her family to western Kansas.

At the age of 20, she attended revival meetings at the Montezuma Mennonite Church. At that time, she responded to the Lord’s call, repented of her sins and committed her life to Christ. Upon the confession of her faith, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on Jan. 4, 1942, together with a large group of converts. To this faith, she remained faithful to her end.

On Sept. 27, 1942, she was joined in marriage to Vernon Dirks at Montezuma, KS, sharing the joys and sorrows of life for 58 years. Two sons and four daughters were born to this union. In the winter of 1957, we had a tragic gas explosion in our home in which our mother and two sisters were severely burned. The two little girls did not survive but mother was restored to us after a long time of special care. On May 24, 2001, Dad left us in an automobile accident, leaving Mother very lonely.

Dad and Mom reared their family on the Sam Dirks home place west of Montezuma, KS. In 1970, they moved to a grass farm close to Schell City where they enjoyed the beauty of that country and being part of a small congregation for the next 15 years.
They moved back to Montezuma, KS, for their retirement years. Shortly before Dad passed away, they moved to Bethel Home where Mom appreciated the spiritual care and fellowship and participating in the daily activities.

Mother taught us children not only by word but by deed. As she was able to submit to the hardships and sorrows of life, she found an increased trust in God and a joy that gave her a positive outlook on life. She was a strong believer in prayer and had an extended prayer list that included people from all walks of life, mentioning each one by name. She will be remembered as a person who readily shared her beliefs. One of her special joys was sewing and she spent many hours at her machine sewing garments and quilts tops for the sewing circle and others in need. We believe she will be among he saints who will walk on the golden streets of heaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters, LaVerna Mae and Alice Rose; her parents; one granddaughter and two great-grandsons; four brothers and three sisters (two in infancy).

Those left with precious memories are two sons, Donald and Carol – Walker, and Oran and Teresa – Schell City; two daughters, Delores and Merle Koehn–– Montezuma, KS, and Patricia and Robert Schmidt – Chickasha, OK; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Madesta Giesbrecht – Montezuma, KS; two sisters-in-law, Vivian Koehn – Geiger, AL, and Irene Koehn – Montezuma, KS; also special to the family are Ivan and Norma Jantz and many other relatives and friends.

Services were conducted Wednesday, April 21, at the Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma, KS, with burial in the North Mennonite Cemetery under the direction of the Montezuma Funeral Home, Montezuma, KS.

Memorials may be made to the Bethel Home or the Gospel Tract and Bible Society and may be mailed to the Montezuma Funeral Home P.O Box 421, Montezuma, KS, 67867.