Calvin Leslie Dirks was born on October 27, 1938 to Jesse and Marie (Unruh) Dirks at Hillsboro, KS. He went to sing with the angels on August 16, 2026 at Bethel Home Montezuma, KS, reaching the age of 87 years.

Dad's childhood was spent in various places in Kansas, moving frequently. He spoke often of the Burrton area, where his father managed an elevator. Dad helped out there and also ran a paper route. He was fascinated with how things worked and had an interest in many things.

Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on April 25, 1951 by Carl Dirks at Halstead, KS. Dad often spoke of his time as a teenager, when he together with his parents and sister, traveled together with Minister Albert Unruh and the “All for Christ Crusade” providing the singing for the services.

He met the love of his life at an early age, at a singing evening at Bethel Home. He married MaryAnn Giesbrecht on May 11,1958 at Montezuma, KS. They made Scott City their home, changing houses about every two years. Finally in 1970 their dream of moving to the farm to raise a family was fulfilled.

At an early age he had a great fascination with electronics which led to his installing PA systems in churches across the conference and he spent much time working at the new Bethel Home installing the PA system and nurses call station.

In 1987, folks moved to the Detroit, TX area. They owned and operated Dirks Farm Center for many years and enjoyed working with the public – handing out bubble gum to all the children who came in.

Dad was a lover of song and was a song leader for many years. While driving, he and Mom would sing. They often sang “Down on My Knees.” Many times, Uncle Jim's or others would come over and spend the evening singing. He enjoyed putting songs on the songline, and making booklets for song requests – hoping to make someone smile or lighten their load.In later life, Dad and Mom moved to Montezuma. Our family is very grateful for the loving care dad received at Bethel Home. Dad's grandchildren and great grandchildren were all very special to him.

Those left to cherish his memory are: his dear wife, MaryAnn of Montezuma; five children, Richard and Janell Dirks of Scott City, Randy and Jan Dirks of Cheraw, South Carolina, Valerie and Roger Holdeman, Detroit, Texas, Lyle and Cindy Dirks of Montezuma, and Sharilyn and Shawn Hiebert of Thomas, Oklahoma; 19 grandchildren; and 48 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Christina Koehn; twin sisters, Kathleen Kay and Lucille Fay, who died shortly after birth; one brother-in-law, Jim Koehn; a granddaughter, Michelle Dirks Koehn; and a great grandson, Derek Decker.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Scott Mennonite Congregation, Scott City. Burial will follow at the Scott Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Bethel Home in Montezuma from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and Wednesday evening at the church. Thoughts and memories may be left in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.