DIRKS, Marilyn Amanda 

DIRKS, Marilyn Amanda 

Marilyn Amanda Dirks, born on the 16th of February, 1944 in the picturesque town of Niagara on-the-Lake, Ontario, left this world for her heavenly home on the 27th of August, 2025.  Marilyn’s life was a testament to the grace and strength that comes from a heart devoted to faith, family and community. 

Growing up on her family fruit farm, Marilyn cherished the simple pleasures in life, such as playing with kittens in the hay loft, hide and seek in the corn fields, walks through the woods, daily ‘school sessions’ with her older sister in the cherry orchards to scare the birds away and afternoons spent playing with dolls. But nothing delighted her more than the taste of fresh picked peaches straight from the orchard trees. She learned the value of hard work, as simple pleasures were often interrupted by long hours of labor in the fruit fields.  

Marilyn’s love story began when she travelled cross-country to Alberta, in search of both a job and a rancher. She found a job as a lab technician in Calgary and a farmer with the promise of horses who became her beloved husband Eric Dirks. Once the children arrived, she became the quintessential homemaker, creating an environment filled with warmth, safety and love. On the farm she worked hand in hand with Eric cultivating not only the land, but a family legacy rooted in Christian values and the joy of hard work.  

Hospitality and generosity were among Marilyn’s greatest God-given gifts to the world. She relished in hosting friends, family and even strangers. Her home was always open, her meals nourishing both body and soul, and her presence was a comfort to many. To be in Marilyn’s kitchen at her table was to know true welcome, where no one left without feeling seen, fed and uplifted. Her generosity extended well beyond her family and friends, as she believed everything she had was a gift from God to be shared freely with those in need. 

She found deep joy in praising her Lord and Savior through song. Over the years, she sang in many choirs, yet nothing was more beautiful than the harmony she shared with her husband Eric. Their voices blended in a shared language of love, one that touched every heart blessed to hear it. 

One of her favourite pastimes was horseback riding in the mountains with family and friends, it provided her with moments of reflection and connection with God’s creation. Yet, nothing brought her greater joy than time spent with her children and grandchildren. Whether it was Christmas at the farm, family holidays at The Property, watching the grandkids play ALL the sports or just simply sharing a meal together.  

Marilyn’s faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. She studied the scriptures with depth and devotion, as reflected in the well-worn pages of her bible. Her countless journals filled with handwritten verses and prayers for those she loved and the world beyond her own.  Marilyn believed wholeheartedly in the power of prayer and intercession, and she lived out her faith not just in words, but in everyday acts of kindness and service.  

She was the heart of her Family. Marilyn is deeply missed by her husband Eric Dirks; her children Kip Dirks (Heather), Janine Lassu (Lonnie) and Michelle Rilling (Jon); and her beloved grandchildren: Lauryn, Jonathan, Asher, Matt, Josh, Isaac, Mitchell, Jared and Eden. Though preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Bennett Lawrence Lassu and her parents, John and Katherine Neufeld, her legacy continues in each life touched.  

She also is remembered with love by her siblings—Elmer Neufeld, Katie Klassen, Erika Friesen, Elsie Dyck and John Neufeld—who were not just her family but her lifelong friends, confidants and sources of mutual inspiration.  

Marilyn Amanda Dirks, her legacy is one of love, faith and the beauty of a life well-lived. Let us honour her memory by embracing the lessons she imparted through her actions—compassion, resilience, generosity, the importance of cherishing every moment with those we hold dear and above all, pointing all to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Heaven receives her with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

If desired, donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to Strathmore Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support (www.mainsprings.com) or to the Strathmore Woman’s Shelter (www.acws.ca/shelters/true-north/)

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at Strathmore Alliance Church at 10:00 a.m.