Iris Dirks

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IRIS DIRKS

On Wednesday, October 25, while surrounded by close friends and family, Iris left this earth after a courageous battle with cancer and began a new day in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Born on December 2, 1947 in Steinbach, Manitoba to Walter R. and Margaret Reimer, Iris was the oldest of four children. Iris lived in Steinbach for most of her life and was very involved in her church and in the community. After high school, Iris attended Prairie Bible Institute for a year and went on to the University of Winnipeg, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 1970.

After initially turning him down (as Cliff likes to tell the story), Iris finally agreed to marry him, and their wedding was held on December 29, 1969. Her mother did not want a wedding the same week as Christmas so why not on a Monday.

Joining Cliff in ministry, first with Youth for Christ and then Red Rock Bible Camp (and later Youth for Christ again), Iris would often be seen summer afternoons in the tuck shop selling treats to the campers, teaching Sunday school to the camp church service visitors, and leading vacation bible school for several weeks in the neighboring town of Rennie. As Cliff and Iris added to their family, this ministry continued and her service to others gave her children a close look at what a life of ministry was all about.

Over the years, Iris passed along her passion for music to countless piano students, teaching in her home, at schools and in churches. She held annual recitals giving her students a chance to show off their skills to their family and friends. Iris loved singing in the choir, and playing for church services, weddings and funerals. She was involved in the music community and served as the president of the Southeast music festival for a number of years.

Iris also loved getting involved with her church community. In addition to playing music in the church, she taught Sunday school, led Pioneer Girls club, and organized mother and daughter retreats at Red Rock Bible Camp, just to mention a few.

As their children grew, Cliff and Iris would also take many family trips. Iris always made sure there were snacks and activities for the long drives as they traveled to Banff or Toronto, Florida or Texas; weekend visits to Grand Forks or Bemidji; or just a couple of nights camping at Falcon Lake. Not to mention the many ski trips along with other Steinbach and area families to Montana and Fernie. After the grandchildren came along, Cliff and Iris would make Fernie and Victoria their primary travel destinations.

Over the course of her life, Iris has touched the lives of so many others, and she will be greatly missed and remembered for her gentle spirit, quiet humour and deep faith in the Lord. Even as she battled cancer for the past five years, losing her youngest son Jay to cancer as well, Iris continued to encourage and bless those around her.

Iris is survived by her beloved husband, Cliff Dirks; siblings Sylvia Peters, Ken Reimer and Bev Reimer; children Robin Dirks and Wren Dirks; and grandchildren Kian Pay, Keira Pay, Sophia Dirks and Axel Dirks. Although we grieve for the loss, we are comforted to know that her suffering is over and that she is now surrounded by heaven’s music.

The service for Iris took place on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at Emmanuel Evangelical Free church, Steinbach, MB.

As published in The Carillon on Nov 03, 2017