Joseph Dirk

Joseph Dirk, 93, Bismarck, died September 17, 2005 in Alton, Illinois. Services will be held at 9:30 AM Thursday at Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, with the Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service where a Moose memorial service and rosary will be held at 6:00 that evening. Visitation will continue one half hour prior to the service at the church. Joseph Dirk was born and raised on the family farm 12 miles south of Raleigh, North Dakota on February 19, 1912. He was the first of ten children born to Daniel and Scholastica Dirk. Joe attended district school #34 in the Leahy District of Grant County. After completing the 8th grade, he farmed with his father until age 23. Joseph married Florence Kahl on January 15, 1938 by Bishop Vincent Wehrle in the Bishop's Chapel in Bismarck, North Dakota. They lived in Flasher, North Dakota, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, McIntosh, South Dakota and moved to Bismarck in 1951. Joseph was a talented carpenter and mechanic. He worked for the WPA in Raleigh, was an auto mechanic in Flasher, a machinist for Harley Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned and operated an automotive garage in McIntosh, South Dakota where he was also a deputy sheriff. After moving to Bismarck, North Dakota in 1951, Joesph worked for American Life and Casualty Insurance, several construction companies and the Dakota Brewery. He retired at the age of 75 after 20 years of employment with the University of Mary. He loved his job, the staff and students at the University of Mary. He believed education is a privilege and made a commitment to education by being an active fundraiser and M Club member with the University of Mary. Mr. Dirk has always been interested in community and public service. He ran for the House of Representatives for the 49th Legislative District in 1980. He volunteered for the Democratic Party doing whatever needed to be accomplished; from stuffing envelopes to taking part in "Get the Vote Out" campaigns. He was an active lobbyist for the North Dakota Council of Clubs for 10 consecutive legislative sessions. Joe was an active Loyal Order of the Moose member. He joined the Bismarck lodge in 1951 holding several offices including Ritual Team member, Governor, Deputy Grand North Moose, and the distinguished honor of the Pilgrim Degree. Joseph was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Florence and a son Robert. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick and Mary of Newport Beach, California and Larry and Marina of Winnetka, California; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Ann and Robert Holcomb of Alton, Illinois, Virginia and Terry Mincey of Wilmington, North Carolina and Sharon and Joseph Thomas of Waynesville, Missouri; a special friend and niece, Cil Deichert of Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; three brothers and sister-laws, Anton and Evelyn of Bismarck, Erasmus and Emma of Mandan, Michael and Leona of Fargo; a brother Emanuel of Bismarck; three sisters, Helen Kahl of Bismarck, Lydia Brown of Arvada, CO and Edith Lehner of Spring City, Pennsylvania. Joseph loved his family, the outdoors and being active. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to the Joseph and Florence Dirk Scholarship Fund at the University of Mary.

Joseph Dirk

February 19, 1912 - September 17, 2005