Dirk N Derksen
d. February 5, 2010
Dirk N Derksen
Dr. Dirk Norman Derksen passed away comfortably at home on February 5, 2010, in Lake Crystal, MN after a short illness at age 91.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., at the Lake Crystal American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial Schools are preferred or to an organization of donor's choice. Lake Crystal Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Dr. Dirk Norman Derksen passed away comfortably at home on February 5, 2010, in Lake Crystal, MN after a short illness at age 91. He was the son of Dirk Derksen who immigrated from Holland and arrived in Tomah, WI where he met and married Mamie Van Loon, a daughter of the only other Hollander in town. Dirk was the second of three sons. During his high school days in Tomah, Dirk excelled academically and earned many athletic accolades. He then enrolled at Rochester Jr. College and it was there he met Ruth Isabel Bickett, a student at the Kahler School of Nursing. They were married on June 21, 1941 which he often joked it was "the shortest night of the year". By that time he was a student at the University of MN and graduated from dental school in 1944. He was then called to duty by the United States Navy during WWII. Following his discharge in 1946 he set up a dental practice in Lake Crystal. In 1951 he was recalled into the service during the Korean Conflict. Once again he returned to Lake Crystal after discharge and faithfully served the people of Lake Crystal and surrounding communities for a total of 48 years, finally retiring on Dec. 1, 1994.
He was first elected to the Lake Crystal School Board in 1948 and served continuously beyond the graduation of his youngest child. He also had the privilege of serving on the Minnesota School Board Association from 1967 to1972 and the Minnesota State High School League from 1970 to 1972. He was the State of Minnesota School Board Member of the Year in 1974. An Eagle Scout himself, Dirk served as scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout troop for 14 years. He was the recipient of two of scouting's highest honors, the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver.
Through the years Dirk was involved with many local, county, and state civic/service organizations and committees including Lions Club, AFS, past director of the County Youth Commission, State Governor's Education Commission, City Council, the local blood bank, and served the First Presbyterian Church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
His life, and that of his family, was enriched by hosting and/or being involved with a variety of foreign exchange students, including Amporn Sutabutra (Thailand), Birger Nissen (Denmark), Katsiuki Nakajima (Japan), Elfving Family (Finland) and Visharda Hoon (India).
Dirk was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He never missed opening day of trout fishing and especially enjoyed fishing trips to Alaska with his children and grandchildren. His last deer hunting trip to northern MN was at age 90.
One of his proudest moments came when, at age 89, he successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a patron in a local restaurant and saved his life. He later commented that maybe that was the reason he lived so long and that he was grateful to finally find out that the Heimlich Maneuver actually works.
Dirk is survived by Bicky, the love of his life and wife of 68 years. Together they raised four children: Dr. Jon (Sue) of Appleton, WI, Jim (Heather) of Castlegar, British Columbia, Dr. Jay (Sharon) of Chugiak, AK, and Janet Derksen Roth (Don) of Lake Crystal; grandchildren and great-grandchildren include, Dr. Eric Derksen (Leah), Dr. Todd Derksen (Carrie Walters), Alyssa Douglas (Dr. Aaron), and children Clara and Levi Douglas: Sarah Derksen (Kyle Gonia); Emily Poray (Peter) and children Riley and Carter Poray, Jeremy Derksen (Saloua), Brittany Derksen; Mandy Weisbrich (Pat) and children Anika, Jonah and Lydia Weisbrich, Zac Roth and Zeb Roth (Roxy Hollerich); brother, Larry (Maureen) of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, Reuben.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., at the Lake Crystal American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lake Crystal Welcome Memorial Schools are preferred or to an organization of donor's choice. Lake Crystal Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Dr. Dirk Norman Derksen passed away comfortably at home on February 5, 2010, in Lake Crystal, MN after a short illness at age 91. He was the son of Dirk Derksen who immigrated from Holland and arrived in Tomah, WI where he met and married Mamie Van Loon, a daughter of the only other Hollander in town. Dirk was the second of three sons. During his high school days in Tomah, Dirk excelled academically and earned many athletic accolades. He then enrolled at Rochester Jr. College and it was there he met Ruth Isabel Bickett, a student at the Kahler School of Nursing. They were married on June 21, 1941 which he often joked it was "the shortest night of the year". By that time he was a student at the University of MN and graduated from dental school in 1944. He was then called to duty by the United States Navy during WWII. Following his discharge in 1946 he set up a dental practice in Lake Crystal. In 1951 he was recalled into the service during the Korean Conflict. Once again he returned to Lake Crystal after discharge and faithfully served the people of Lake Crystal and surrounding communities for a total of 48 years, finally retiring on Dec. 1, 1994.
He was first elected to the Lake Crystal School Board in 1948 and served continuously beyond the graduation of his youngest child. He also had the privilege of serving on the Minnesota School Board Association from 1967 to1972 and the Minnesota State High School League from 1970 to 1972. He was the State of Minnesota School Board Member of the Year in 1974. An Eagle Scout himself, Dirk served as scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout troop for 14 years. He was the recipient of two of scouting's highest honors, the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver.
Through the years Dirk was involved with many local, county, and state civic/service organizations and committees including Lions Club, AFS, past director of the County Youth Commission, State Governor's Education Commission, City Council, the local blood bank, and served the First Presbyterian Church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
His life, and that of his family, was enriched by hosting and/or being involved with a variety of foreign exchange students, including Amporn Sutabutra (Thailand), Birger Nissen (Denmark), Katsiuki Nakajima (Japan), Elfving Family (Finland) and Visharda Hoon (India).
Dirk was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He never missed opening day of trout fishing and especially enjoyed fishing trips to Alaska with his children and grandchildren. His last deer hunting trip to northern MN was at age 90.
One of his proudest moments came when, at age 89, he successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a patron in a local restaurant and saved his life. He later commented that maybe that was the reason he lived so long and that he was grateful to finally find out that the Heimlich Maneuver actually works.
Dirk is survived by Bicky, the love of his life and wife of 68 years. Together they raised four children: Dr. Jon (Sue) of Appleton, WI, Jim (Heather) of Castlegar, British Columbia, Dr. Jay (Sharon) of Chugiak, AK, and Janet Derksen Roth (Don) of Lake Crystal; grandchildren and great-grandchildren include, Dr. Eric Derksen (Leah), Dr. Todd Derksen (Carrie Walters), Alyssa Douglas (Dr. Aaron), and children Clara and Levi Douglas: Sarah Derksen (Kyle Gonia); Emily Poray (Peter) and children Riley and Carter Poray, Jeremy Derksen (Saloua), Brittany Derksen; Mandy Weisbrich (Pat) and children Anika, Jonah and Lydia Weisbrich, Zac Roth and Zeb Roth (Roxy Hollerich); brother, Larry (Maureen) of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, Reuben.
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