Marilyn Dircks
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 11, 2021 @ 1:33 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 19 Comments
Marilyn J. Dircks, age 82, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021 at New Perspectives Senior Living in Prior Lake.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 14, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Prior Lake. Mass can be streamed by visiting St. Michael’s website: https://stmichael-pl.org/. Visitation time will be held one hour prior to services. Masks are required and social distancing must be maintained. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Marilyn Joanne was born on July 7, 1938 to Nicholas and Dorothy (Schmitt) Raser in Minneapolis, MN. An only child, Marilyn grew up on the family dairy farm in Carver County, often helping out and driving the tractor for her dad. With no siblings, Marilyn was close with many of her aunts and uncles close to her age and was known to get into some mischief from time to time. She loved hanging out with both sides of the family and participated in many activities with her aunts and uncles. Following graduation from Guardian Angels Catholic School in Chaska, Marilyn met the love of her life, Jerry Dircks. After catching his eye at a family wedding wearing her green silk dress and high heels, Marilyn danced with Jerry at a Valentine’s Day dance at the Chaska ballroom before he asked her to see a movie the following Friday night. The week leading up to their date was the longest week of Jerry’s life. After an amazing first date, there weren’t any doubts in either of their minds, and Marilyn told her family soon after, “I’m gonna marry that man.” Marilyn and Jerry were united in marriage on September 21, 1957 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Jordan, MN. Following marriage, Jerry and Marilyn were blessed with three children, Christopher, Charlotte, and Mary Jo. As a family, they enjoyed many different camping trips all over the area. Marilyn was always involved and active in the community. She loved visiting with friends, neighbors, and extended family, and volunteering her time as a part of the Fire Ladies. She was also a proud lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. When she wasn’t helping out in the community or socializing with her family, Marilyn worked as a cleaner and did housekeeping for offices, bakeries, and other businesses, as well as working various other jobs including babysitting the neighbor kids five days a week. Marilyn also loved to cook and was an avid reader in her free time. When she was blessed with grandchildren, she loved them dearly, hosting easter egg hunts in the backyard, trick or treating on Halloween, cracking open pinatas every birthday, and serving up her famous chicken wings on Christmas Eve.
In retirement, Jerry and Marilyn converted their cabin to a house and lived there for 15 years, enjoying deer hunting together and spending winters in Texas. They greatly enjoyed spending time in Donna, TX, which was 60 miles from the Gulf, able to travel to Padre Island and visit Mexico from the park they lived. They were the youngest couple in the park when they moved in, and they were the oldest when they settled back in Prior Lake, MN in 2011.
The love of Jerry’s life, full of sunshine, and ever present, Marilyn was deeply loved and will be missed by her husband, Jerry Dircks; children, Christopher (Rhonda) Dircks, Charlotte (Gene) Theis, Mary Jo Dircks; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many other loving family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers; three infant sisters; numerous aunts and uncles; and other family.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home proudly served and cared for the Dircks family.
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So many wonderful and funny memories of my childhood include Marilyn. She was the sweetest person to ever scold me for a misdeed. Playing with Chris, Charlotte and Jojo, add in a couple of Pekingese, Blossom, Boo and our dog Ras….well, we had our own little village! My sadness, I’m sure, cannot compare to what her family is feeling. Just know that she will remain a beloved memory for me and I will treasure her always in my heart. Love and prayers to the family.
Jerry and family,
Marilyn was such a special woman!
I think of her as a fiesty, strong and determined lady who was always game for a beer and a good laugh!
She always loved being with her family, her friends and her dog, but her love for Jerry was the deepest of any I’ve ever witnessed. She fought a long and hard battle with Jerry by her side.
She will be deeply missed by so many, but always in our hearts and prayers.
Our deepest sympathy.
Duke and Kathy
My sincerest condolences to you Mary Jo and your family. I was only able to meet Marilyn a few short times but she was always so kind and sweet to be around.may God bring you comfort in the wonderful memories of her you have experienced.
Our heart filled condolences go out to you Jerry, Chris, Charlotte and Mary Jo. Like you we will miss Marilyn’s cheerful laugh and sometimes weird sense of humor. She was a beloved part of our family and will be fondly remembered.
Oh-where to begin….first of all she was known to us as Mare-No.
My fondest memories were when she worked at The Rock Spring restaurant, she would bring home beer cheese soup. She and her family were so gracious to share with us. Hot soup and popcorn-Yum!!
Not only was she a great neighbor, Marilyn was my favorite babysitter. Daycare memories – meals were made with love and dedicated to the kids in the daycare; allowed us to invade her privacy and watch her brush her dentures in the morning; watching Rusty Rein drink the cold water out of the toilet. She obviously had the patience of a saint to deal with all us meat heads.
Camping – making cherry pies in the bonfire, and Marilyn sitting by the fire in her lawn chair having a much deserved beer -out of the bottle of course.
I could go on…to the Dircks family you were not only our neighbors, or friends, but you were an extension of our family. My dearest sympathies to my extended family. Love to you all!
Dearest Mary Jo, Sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I remember your mom from conferences we had at school. She was so kind and caring and always had your best interests at heart. It is hard to lose one’s mom, but now you have your own personal angel watching over you. God bless
Bev Fahey
Rest in peace, dear friend!
Sending loving thoughts and giant sized hugs to the Dircks family……
I am so sorry for the loss of my cousin Marilyn. To you Jerry, Chris, Charlotte, and Mary Jo, I will keep you in my prayers. I remember Marilyn spending time at my parents farm and the record player she left for us when we were kids. Also, the 4th of July times. She always had a smile!
I’m so sorry for your loss of Marilyn, to you Jerry, Chris, Charlotte, and Mary Jo. I will keep you all in my prayers. I remember Marilyn spending time at my parents farm (Ed and Bette Hammers) and the record player she left for us kids. Also the 4th of July times at the farm. She always had a smile!
Chris and Dircks Family, Sorry for the loss of your Mother they are always special in our hearts and always deeply missed when the are gone. I hope you find comfort in all the memories your family has made. Our prayers are with you.
Warren and Deb Reed.
Char and family….I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. .My thoughts and prayers are for your families.
My deepest condolences to Mary Jo and the entire family. Mare-no was a special lady, the tolerance and patience of a saint. I miss the days sitting in the “veranda” with Jer-buddy and Mare-no solving all worldly issues. God Bless you Marilyn.
Thank you for this Mark. You made us laugh!
So sorry to hear of your Moms passing .. I remember lots of fun times in the neighborhood on Pierce St. Your Mom was a sweet soul who was always kind to me and the love they shared as a couple was very apparent and a joy to be around … God Bless you and your family MJ…
To all the Dirks family we are so saddened by the loss.
May God comfort you in this difficult time.
Sincere condolences ,
Pablo & Becky Schwaesdall
Jerry and Family, I had the pleasure of caring for Marilyn at New Perspective. She was a big part of our NP family, and could out walk anyone of us! I will truly miss having Marilyn around and seeing you, Jerry. Sending healing prayers for you and your family at this difficult time.
RIP Marilyn
I am sorry to here about your loss, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember you from Shakopee you were my Moms (Lillian Noterman) neighbor on Pierce St. I have fond memories of Marilyn and all of you. May God Bless you all.
We are so sorry to hear about Marilyn. sending love and prayers to Jerry & all the family. She was a wonderful lady …
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Our sincere condolences to Jerry and family on the passing of Marilyn. She was a wonderful person and so giving. Her compassion for family and life will be forever remembered.