Betty Dirksen

Betty Jean Dirksen, 88, a resident of rural LeClaire, Iowa peacefully passed away at her home on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf where she & her husband were charter members.  She will be laid to rest at Summit Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.  Memorials may be made to New Tribes Mission.

She was born January 5, 1926 at home in Bettendorf, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Cora (Ade) Ellsworth.  Betty’s mother became very ill when Betty was a small child and was cared for and raised by her grandmother, Jenny Ellsworth.

On August 8, 1946, she was united in marriage to Melvin Dirksen in her grandmother’s home at 1510 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.

Betty taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Riverdale, Iowa and later in rural LeClaire.  Betty was a devout Christian all of her life and loved to tell others about her beloved Lord & Savior.  She & Melvin spent nine years as missionaries in Brazil.  Betty taught Sunday School for many years and led many 5-Day Clubs for Child Evangelism.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband of 67 years, Melvin; her children, Dan (Carol) Dirksen of Riverdale, Iowa, Donna (Lester) Franey of Green City, Missouri, Dawn (Steve) Hamilton of LeClaire and Dick (Janet) Dirksen of Wyoming, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; her brother, Jim Ellsworth of Florence, Colorado; her half-brothers, Bob Ellsworth of Durant, Iowa, Bill Ellsworth of Blue Grass, Iowa and Dick Ellsworth of Denver, Iowa; and many other relatives and wonderful friends.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Deborah; her sister, Lois Riexinger; her half-sister, Sandy Dick; and her parents.