Ernie Dierks, age 94 of Oakdale, MN, formerly of Washburn, ND, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at a St. Paul, MN hospital.

Celebration of Life Service: 10:30 AM Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008;
First Lutheran Church – Washburn, ND;
Rev. Erik Johnson, Officiating;

Interment: Riverview Cemetery – Washburn, ND;
Military Rites provided by the American Legion Victor B. Wallin Post #12

Visitation: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Wednesday at Goetz Funeral Home – Washburn;
Thursday, 1 hour prior to time of service at the church.

Ernest Dierks was born March 11, 1913 in Moody County, South Dakota, the
youngest child of Fred and Bertha (Kubbernus) Dierks. He attended Smyth rural school and graduated from Flandreau High School in Flandreau, SD. He was confirmed at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Egan, SD. Ernie continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota graduating with a degree in Agriculture. Following graduation, he worked for two years for the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C. on the 1939 Agricultural census. In May 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving almost four years in the Medical Detachment of the 108th Infantry at Ft. Bliss, TX, the Philippines, and Korea. On April 14, 1942 he married Maythel Benedict and while serving at Ft. Bliss they lived in El Paso, TX. After returning to the Census Bureau following World War II, he transferred to the Soil Conservation Service, living in Chamberlain, SD while working in Lyman County for one year. He and Maythel moved to Washburn in 1948 where he was employed with the South McLean County Soil Conservation office until his retirement in 1971. Following retirement, Ernie did carpentry work for a few years.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Washburn and served in several council positions. He was a life member and past commander of the American Legion Victor B. Wallin Post #12 of Washburn, the Bismarck V.F.W., member of the Washburn Lions Club for over 50 years and recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Award for commitment to serving the world community. Ernie was a member of the Washburn Fire Department and Ambulance Squad and one of the area's first E.M.T.'s. He served as a member and past president of the McLean County Historical Society, where in past years he volunteered many hours. Ernie was an honorary member of the Washburn FFA, served on the Washburn School Board, and boards of the Lewis and Clark Enterprises, Riverview Cemetery, and the Boy Scouts. He enjoyed the years with the Wilton Square Dance Club and the Flickertail Wood Carvers. When not busy volunteering, Ernie enjoyed gardening, wood chip carving, hunting, fishing, and meeting with his coffee club.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maythel Dierks of Oakdale, MN; three daughters, Judith (John) Marshall of Rothschild, WI, Janel (John) Heroff of Cottage Grove, MN, and JoAnn Nick of San Juan Capistrano, CA; eight grandchildren, John (Elizabeth) Marshall, Joellyn Marshall, Terry Weaver, Jeffrey (Jessie) Marshall, Andrew Heroff, Sara (Brian) Buffie, Leah, Laurel, & Paula Nick; five great grand children, Paige, Alexandra, and Chase Marshall, and Marcus and Mason Weaver.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Janice, at the age of ten, his parents (Fred and Bertha Dierks), three brothers (Gerhart, Fred, and Martin Dierks), two sisters (Almut Steinmeyer and Dorothy Dierks), and one son-in-law (Wendell Nick)