Dorothy Marie (Bonine) Dirkswager

Dorothy M. Dirkswager, age 94, of Maple Lake, died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at her home.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Silver Creek, Minnesota with Rev. Ken Tatkenhorst officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Clearwater, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Dorothy Marie Dirkswager was born October 2, 1924 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to John and Isabella (Jennicke) Bonine, one of their nine children. Dorothy grew up near Buffalo Lake where she attended school. She was united in marriage to Lyle Heinecke and they were blessed with four children. They made their home near Bovey, where Dorothy cared for the home and raised the children. On March 28, 1964 Dorothy was united in marriage to Marvin F. Dirkswager in Watertown, South Dakota. Dorothy and Marvin’s family was complete with the births of their three children. They made their home in Silver Creek Township, where Dorothy continued to stay home to raise the children and care for the home. Over the years, Dorothy also provided daycare for area families and also worked as an apple picker for Oskoski Apple Orchard. In her spare time, Dorothy enjoyed fixing puzzles, embroidering and cross-stitching, playing card games, and doing word searches. Her favorite musical artists consisted of Elvis and Glen Campbell. Being outdoors and observing wildlife were also among Dorothy’s pastimes, whether it be tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, bird watching, or observing the deer. Above all, Dorothy treasured the time she was able to spend with her family.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Marvin of Maple Lake; children, Sam (Sue) Heinecke of Big Lake, Rosemary Heinecke of Monticello, Shirley Hickman of Big Lake, Stanley (Deb) Heinecke of Akeley, Marcia Dirkswager of Maple Lake, and Marilyn (Mark Luedtke) Dirkswager of Monticello; stepson, Mark (Karen) Dirkswager of Iowa; 18 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Marshall Dirkswager, 3 grandchildren, all 8 of her siblings, and son-in-law, Keith Hickman.

Mark Michaelis, Matthew Michaelis, Jeremiah Erickson, and Jericho Erickson will serve as pallbearers. Rev. Ken Tatkenhorst will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

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