Tahlequah, OK- (Formerly Omaha, NE) Funeral services for Marian Rose Watke-Dirks will be held on Saturday, January 16th, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend David Wiens, her son-in-law, officiating at the services. There will be a time of visitation beginning at 10:00 AM until service time at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Virgil at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com. Her sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Marian Rose Watke-Dirks was born on March 16th, 1929, in the farming community of Paxton, NE, the daughter of Edward and Rose (Coleman) Watke. Her grandparents had immigrated into the United States from Austria in 1876, and the family settled into farming and ranching.It was not the easy life one would imagine, she often told of gathering dried cowchips to burn for fuel in the winter and long hours of helping with chores and housework. She was raised with two brothers, Edward F. and Roger G. Watke, and upon graduating from Paxton High School, began her studies in Bible and music at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, NE. It was while at school she met her future husband, Virgil Ralph Dirks. They were joined in holy matrimony July 24th, 1949, in Shelby, NE. Together they raised a family of one daughter and three sons, Lynette, Timothy, Bradley, and Jonathan. Having come from a family that dedicated their lives to the Lord, it was only natural that the Dirks family served Him all the days of their lives as well. With Virgil teaching at school and spreading the gospel, Marian was the dedicated daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She could take the most basic of ingredients and make a delicious meal for her whole family. She conducted Bible studies, sang in the choir and backed Virgil in all his work. The best part of working together was when the two of them sang. It was magical the way the harmonies flowed out, and they knew every old gospel song you could name. Virgil and Marian sang duets literally all over the country, and in later years, at the Go Ye Village for banquets and services from 2005 until 2012. Their daughter Lynette would accompany and sing with them. After Virgil went home, Marian sang solos in several special Go Ye performances, and she especially counted it a privilege and dearly loved singing a solo every second Sunday of the month in the Go Ye Village Chapel. Music was one of her first loves, and she shared it unselfishly. She made specialty wedding candles for gifts, and made the most wonderful wedding cakes imaginable. Every thing she did, was done with great care and love, and always for the glory of God. You could walk into the house and see rows of pictures of her children and grandchildren and knew just how proud she was of her family, each and every one of them held a special place in her heart. Marian was quiet and unassuming, keeping to herself, yet always there when people needed her, offering support and a kind word. Her smile was warm and inviting to sit down and talk awhile. Marian and Virgil relocated to Tahlequah, OK in 2004 to Go Ye Village. Virgil passed from this life in 2013. That never stopped her from continuing the work the Lord had laid out before her. She sang at the church services , and helped whenever asked. She wrote hundreds of cards and letters to family and friends encouraging them in all their activities and telling them how much they were loved and appreciated. The Lord called this wonderful woman and servant of God home from her many labors on Sunday, January 10th, 2021 in Tahlequah, OK following a brief illness. She was 91 years old and will be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert Watke and Anna (Clausen) Watke-Ehler, her mother and father, her husband Virgil, and one brother, Edward Watke. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Lynette Wiens and husband Reverend David Wiens of Tahlequah, OK, Timothy Dirks and wife Shardelle of Sedgwick, KS, Bradley Dirks and wife Kathleen of Belton, MO, and Jonathan Dirks and wife Janice of Siloam Springs, AR. She leaves one brother, Roger Watke of Delano, MN, and one sister-in-law, Joyce Watke of Augusta, GA. She lives on in her grandchildren, Shardelle Olson and husband Erik, Jonathan Wiens and wife Shannon, Nathan Wiens and wife Katie, Ryan Dirks and wife Julie, Stacia Rink and husband Timothy, Tiffany Dirks-Montero and husband Joel, Alyssa Hughes and husband Cory, Julie Ann Walker and husband Jason, McKinley Dirks, as well as sixteen great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones, Go Ye Village neighbors and students whose lives she shaped in her own special way. Those wishing to express their condolences are asked to consider one of Marion’s favorite charities, Focus On The Family, click the link, donate.focusonthefamily.com ,then follow the prompts, or you may donate by phone at 1-800-232-6459, or mail your donation to Focus On The Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO. 80920. The family wishes to express their gratitude for all the thoughts, prayers, and kindness shown them at this most difficult time, it is appreciated.
