Wayne Dirksen

Dirksen, Wayne A.
Devoted Husband, Dad, Grandpa,
Great Grandpa and Caregiver
Born October 12, 1919 in Sioux City, Iowa. Passed away surrounded by family on January 18, 2012. Preceded in death by parents, Anna Agnes (Juran) & Albert Lucas Dirksen and sister, Laverne Peterson. Survived by loving wife of 64 years, Dorothy (Hutmacher); daughter, Theresa Dirksen and her daughter, Anne Neal (Roy); son, Stephen (Jeanne) and their children, Stephen, Rosalie McGovern (Jun), Matthew (Amanda), Ruth Osburn (James), Thomas (Cynthia) & John Paul (Katee); son, Joe (Mary) and their children, Michael (Kristin), Erin & Patrick; son, Jerry (Anne); daughter, Elizabeth Burrows (James) and their children, Katherine Burrows & Abigail White (Chad); and son, Tony (Leanne Zainer); 14 great grandchildren.
Unfailingly generous and honorable, Wayne Dirksen dedicated his life to his country, community, and family. Wayne distinguished himself as a WWII glider pilot. After the war, he married Dorothy Catherine Hutmacher and began a career with the Great Northern Railroad. Wayne's work took him and the family to Whitefish, Montana, and St. Paul, where he retired as a project analyst in 1979. A gifted athlete, he enjoyed the outdoors and competitive sports, golfing, bowling, and playing baseball and touch football with his children, and handily beating them at tennis well into his sixtiesa�"sometimes while smoking a cigar. Wayne also served as an esteemed lector and communion minister for many years at St. Bernard's and Holy Redeemer Catholic Churches. Wayne's positive outlook on life, acute mind and wry sense of humor delighted those fortunate enough to savor the occasional single malt scotch while discussing the news of the day with him. Wayne liked a good joke; he loved a bad joke. His gentle guidance and example of how to live an honest, engaged life will be profoundly missed.
Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Ecumen Seasons of Maplewood and St. Jude/St. Croix Hospice for their loving care. Visitation Tuesday from 9-10:15AM at BRADSHAW, 1078 Rice Street with Catholic Mass Tuesday 10:30AM at CHURCH OF ST. BERNARD, 197 West Geranium. Internment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred.