Elvera Fern Dirks was born on Aug. 2, 1938, in Hillsboro to Alfred and Susie (Redger) Jantz. Our beloved wife, mom and grandma went to be with her Lord on Friday, April 27, 2018.
Elvera married DeWayne E. Dirks on Aug. 30, 1958, at Friedensthal Mennonite Church. They spent the early years of their married life in Emporia and Lyndon before moving to Topeka, where they lived from 1964 until 2017.
Elvera worked in the radiology department at Stormont Vail Hospital for 30 years, first in transport services and then in the scheduling office. Elvera was a longtime member of Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka where she was very active. In March 2017, DeWayne and Elvera moved to Kidron Bethel community and in September 2017, Elvera moved to ComfortCare Homes of Newton.
Elvera was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Verna Decker, Hulda Decker, Darlene Unruh and Elizabeth Jantz; and brothers Melvin, Harold, Jonathan, Arthur, Nathan and Norman Jantz.
She will be dearly missed by her husband DeWayne, their three children Tammy (Dwight) Flaming of Hillsboro, Kelly (Karen) Dirks, Longmont, Colo., and Jeffrey (Christina), Topeka. Grandchildren that will cherish their memories of Grandma are Kate Flaming, Kendra (Kevin) Friedberg, Kristina (Ryan) Streeter, Tyler (Amber) Gist, Kylie Dirks, Jadrian (Jessica) Dirks, Jevin Dirks and Valencia Dirks.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Shalom.
Memorials may be given to Mennonite Disaster Service.
