Our Mom, Donna Faye (Yocum) Dircksen, departed her earthly life May 2, 2023. She was 90 years old. Donna was born in Western Loup County, NE, on her grandparent's farm on April 10, 1933, to Anna Dell (Roblyer)
Yocum and Gordon LeRoy Yocum, Sr.
Despite growing up during the Great Depression, her childhood was filled
with joy and fun, as well as hard work on the farm. Her family consisted
of three older siblings (she considered them "bossy"), as well as a
beloved younger sister, Ann. She had many cousins in the neighborhood,
and they visited and got together as much as possible. There were
baseball games, quilting bees, and reunions. Mom talked about riding
"Charlie Horse" to school when her brother would let her. One of her
jobs was to carry corn cobs to the pigs; another was to milk the cows,
which she did as little as possible. She also drove the tractor to
plant corn.
When Donna was young and foolish, she married a soldier, George Eugene Leibert, from Sargent, NE, who then was shipped overseas, and fought in the Korean Conflict. Donna gave birth to their daughter, Georgia Marie, while George was in Korea. They divorced shortly after George returned from Korea. Little was known of PTSD back then.
At that time Donna attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and
Kearney State College; she received a teaching certificate, which was
awarded at that time without a degree. She started teaching in rural
schools in Western Nebraska. She did finally receive her BA from
Kearney State College about twenty years later.
Since Donna's parents were farming on rented farms and making no money (Donna's teaching salary was supporting the family), they had a farm auction, and moved to North Platte, where Donna met a charming, handsome young man when he fell over her at the skating rink (perhaps she fell over him). Six weeks later, on March 15, 1956, Donna married Lawrence Gulvin Dircksen in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte.
Perhaps the best part of Lawrence and Donna's marriage was that Lawrence had three children from a previous marriage, Debbie, Mike, and Steve. Donna and Lawrence then had a large, busy family, to which they later added Patty and LaDonna. Mom taught school while Lawrence worked for the UPRR, as well as other jobs during frequent layoffs.
Donna and Lawrence raised their children to be Christians by being an
example for them, as well as attending church and sending them to Sunday School. Donna at various times taught Sunday School and Confirmation. Donna and Lawrence were also Luther League (youth group) sponsors.
Mom was very active and involved in her children's other activities. She
was a cub scout den mother, PTA member, the girls' 4-H leader, and
softball coach (Donna taught us how to slide into base. I thought she
was too old to be doing such things, but realized later she was about 29
years old at that time). She was our loving peacemaker (we were a
handful), and cheerleader. Our parents built a cabin at Lake Maloney;
Mom pulled us while we water skied as well as skiing a few times
herself. She insisted on the girls (not the boys) doing about twenty
laps between docks, which she swam as well.
Mom and Dad enjoyed dancing, eating out, camping, lake time, looking
after the kids (we turned out OK I guess), and later grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. When Donna was eighty years old, she was able to
enjoy a wonderful Mediterranean Cruise with family members; she tramped across Rome for miles. Donna also did ceramics and was an expert quilter; she hand quilted a quilt for everyone of her children and
grandchildren. Up until a week before her death, she was working on a
quilt for Church (Lutheran World Relief).
Mom was preceded into heaven by her loving husband of 56 years,
Lawrence, our sweet sister, Patty Hupfer, beautiful daughter-in-law,
Pamela (Diers) Dircksen; her parents; her grandparents, Edward and Ida
(Burger) Yocum, and Jacob Henry, Jr., and Pearl (Moninger) Roblyer;
In-laws, Fred and Anna (Thompson) Dircksen, siblings Ava Loree Small and husband, Herbert Small, Gertrude Coleman and husband, Elton Coleman, and Gordon LeRoy, Jr., and wife Lola (Green) Yocum. She was also predeceased by several of Lawrence's siblings.
Donna is survived by her loving children, Mike Dircksen and Steve
Dircksen (Roberta), of Arizona, Deb (Tom) Erickson and Georgia (Larry)
Nelms, of North Platte, LaDonna (Terry) Mead, of Norfolk, NE, and
son-in-law, Walter Joe of North Platte. She further survived by her
beloved younger sister, Ann (Thomas "Mike") McEvoy, many grandchildren and great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
We take comfort in knowing Mom is now in heaven with Dad and Patty and other loved ones. Rest in peace, Mom, knowing your work is finished on earth.
Celebration of Mom's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May
11, 2023, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West 5th Street,
North Platte. Private family inurnment will be in Plainview Cemetery,
south of Maxwell. The memorial book may be signed online at
odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore on Wednesday, May 10th from 10 am to 6 pm. Odean Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to First Evangelical
Lutheran Church.