Dr. Stephen “Steve” F. Dirks, 92 went home to be with his Savior, surrounded by his loving family on March 14, 2019.
Steve was born Dec. 8, 1926 to Bernard and Pearl Dirks in Massachusetts. He graduated from Blackburn University in 1947 with an Associate Degree in Arts. He went on to attend the University of Massachusetts where he graduated in 1949 with a Bachelors Degree in Science. Steve continued his education in Iowa, where he attended the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. There he met the love of his life Ann and they were united in marriage on Aug. 31, 1951. He was a fraternity member of Phi Zeta, as well as part of the Iowa State Student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1953. After graduating, Steve and Ann moved to Wisconsin, where he practiced as a licensed veterinarian from 1953 to 1994. He ran Waterford Veterinary Clinic for 40 years. Steve’s commitment to his passion for veterinary medicine led him to continue his education by graduating from Surge Dairy School as a Master Dairyman in 1962, as well as attending Wisconsin’s Academy for Veterinary Practice in 1984. He also held a membership with the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association for 50 years.
Steve will always be remembered as a servant of the Lord and of his community. He was an active member of the Community United Methodist Church of Waterford. He was active in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. He was an organizer for the Bike-A-Thon for St. Jude’s Hospital. He served on the Waterford Graded School Board for 10 years and he also tutored English as a second language.
Steve will be dearly missed by his loving wife Ann; his children, Suzanne Marie (Richard Wayne) Rivers Jr., Karen Elaine (Hung) Hoang, Paul Phillip (Amber Mary Ericka) Dirks, Timothy Stephen (Mona Beth) Dirks; his grandchildren, Nicholas Phillip (Marlee Michelle) Rivers, Stacey Kenzie Rivers, Marianne Margarite Rivers, Stephen Wayne Rivers, Cynthia Elaine Rivers, Richard Wayne Rivers III, Olivia Kay Rivers, Dunstan Dung Hoang, Genevieve Anh Trang Hoang, Amari Christopher Dirks, Anissa Janae Dirks, Fioana Catherine Dirks, Zoe Alexandra Dirks, and Sarah Beth Dirks. He is further survived by his great grandchildren Delaney Suzanne Rivers and Jameson Tyrel Rustand; as well as many friends and community members whose lives he impacted while here on Earth.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Pearl; his daughter Cynthia Elaine Dirks, and his siblings Debby Dirks Hugan, Margaret Dirks Harmed, Robert Dirks, and Phillip Dirks.
A celebration of Steve’s life will take place on March 23, 2019 at Community United Methodist Church, 455 S. Jefferson Street in Waterford. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m., followed by a memorial service at noon. Steve will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Waterford at 2:30pm.
Services Entrusted to Integrity Funeral Services. Well-wishers may visit www.integrityfunerals.net.
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