Montezuma - Leland Howard Dirks was born July 17, 1933 to Henry and Sadie (Smith) Dirks at Halstead, Kansas. He passed away at the Lone Tree Retirement Center in Meade, Kansas on March 4, 2024.

He grew up in Halstead until eight years of age, and it was then that the Henry Dirks family moved to Rich Hill, Missouri. There he helped his father on the family farm. He remembered plowing with a team of horses.

Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on May 13, 1954 by his father, Min. Henry Dirks. His conversion meant a lot to him and often told others of his experience and how he heard an audible voice telling him his sins were forgiven. To his vows he remained faithful to the end. On May 3, 1959 he was married to our mother, Mary Lou Schmidt by Minister Arthur Dennis Unruh. To this union were born two sons and three daughters. They had sixty-four happy years of married life. Our parents enjoyed visitors from all walks of life. They also found themselves on the road to visit others near and far.

After spending two years in 1W service in Kansas City at KU Medical Center, he settled on a farm southwest of Butler. He worked hard being a farmer and cattleman and enjoyed watching the crops grow. At times, there were great disappointments; when it rained too much and the floods came and covered the crops. Dad taught us children to work and we enjoyed our work.  Our needs were well supplied and he promoted a structured environment. A highlight in his life was engaging themselves in Gospel Tract distribution. They covered many miles filling tract racks and doing much visiting.

Their wish was that when it came time to move off the farm, they wanted to move to Montezuma. An opportunity became available and they gladly accepted. They moved in 2020 and enjoyed four years there and enjoyed many friends. He loved sitting on the front porch and visiting with anyone that would stop by. Driving the golf cart around town gave them pleasure. The Bethel Home Health Care was special to them and we are very grateful for the services they received.

Our dad is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou, of Montezuma, Kansas; his children, Melody and husband Arlo Nightingale of Hollandale, Mississippi, Elston and his wife Jan of Butler, Missouri, Marilee and husband Roger Yost of Montezuma, Monica and husband Lawrence Shetler of Perrysville,  Ohio, and Monroe of Butler, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; a sister, Gloria Koehn of Moundridge, Kansas; sister-in-laws, Carrol Dirks and Donna Dirks both of Rich Hill, Missouri; Violet Wedel of Tampa, Kansas; and many nephews and nieces whom he enjoyed. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, and three sisters

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Bethany Mennonite Church in Rich Hill, Missouri. Burial will follow at the Bethany Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00PM. Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society (GTBS) in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.