Edna Dirks

Edna Frances Dirks was born on April 4, 1931 to Abe and Marie (Lobbes) Smith in rural Steen, Minnesota where she grew up. She attended country school through the 8th grade. Edna was working at a coffee shop before taking a position with Nelson Department Store in 1948 where she would remain for the next 26 years. On June 14, 1949, Edna was united in marriage to Ben Dirks at her parents’ home in Luverne, Minnesota. Edna and Ben began their life together in Luverne. In 1955, they moved to Hills, Minnesota where they lived for three years before returning to Luverne in 1958. Edna began working at Bot Drug Store in Luverne in 1973 and remained there until 1992 when she began working at the Rocking Horse Gift Shop, also in Luverne. In 2006, Edna retired. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Edna passed away at the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne at 95 years, 6 months and 13 days.

Edna was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She was a member of the Eagles Club Auxiliary. In her spare time, Edna enjoyed crocheting and puzzles. She and Ben had the opportunity to take several bus trips through the years.

Edna is survived by her three children, Mike (Denise) Dirks of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Steve “Ben” (Marlys “Mo”) Dirks of Luverne, and Nancy (Scott) Gusso of Madison, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Laura Dirks of Liberty, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Shawn, Brent and Eric Dirks, Blake and Cody (Crystal) Dirks, Chris (Mary), Taner (Madison) and Tyler DenHoed, and Kelsie (Jake) Uithoven; five great-grandchildren, Aaron and Ashley Dirks, Bryson and Daxton DenHoed, and Briar Uithoven; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, in 2002; son, Jeff; parents, Abe and Marie Smith; brother, Marvin (Nellie) Smith; and sister, Charlotte (Dick) Korthals.