Irene Dierking

FUNERAL SERVICES : 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Tim Heinecke officiating.VISITATION : One hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.INTERMENT : Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Westlawn Memorial Cemetery in Grand Island, NE.SURVIVORS : Her son, Dr. Maurice (Carolyn) Spangler of Park Rapids; her two grandchildren: Aaron (Amy Thielen) Spangler of Two Inlets, MN and Sarah (Paul) Fogleman of Bloomington, IN; her three great grandchildren: Hank Spangler, Irene Fogleman and Isaak Fogleman; her son in law, Merle Doehling of Lincoln, NE; two brothers: Lester (Patty) Niebrugge of Indianapolis, IN and Delmer (Geri) Niebrugge of Syracuse, NE. IRENE ANNE DIERKINGOctober 9, 1921 " May 26, 2011 Irene Anne Dierking, age 89 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Grand Island, Nebraska, was born into eternal life on Thursday evening, May 26, 2011 while a patient at St Joseph"s Hospital in Park Rapids following a massive stroke she had suffered earlier in the day.Irene was born on October 9, 1921 in Otoe Co., Nebraska to William and Emma (Schweppe) Niebrugge. It was in this same area that she attended country school through the eighth grade. Irene then went on to attend the Cook Public High School in Cook, NE where she graduated with the class of 1939. As a young woman, Irene ventured to Lincoln, NE where she attended nursing school at St. Elizabeth Hospital, graduating in 1943. On September 12, 1945 Irene was united in marriage to Lieutenant Maurice Eugene Spangler, a handsome young airman in the US Army Air Corps. On July 11, 1946 Maurice was killed in a tragic airplane crash near Biloxi, MS. She then made her home with her in laws in Decatur, IN until her son was born in November. Irene returned to Nebraska where she lived with her parents until she was united in marriage to Clarence Ludwig Dierking near Cook, Nebraska on August 23rd, 1950. The young couple farmed near Burr, Nebraska where Irene devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband, son and their new daughter, Marcia Elaine who was born in 1957. Irene was a wonderful baker who enjoyed making homemade breads and sweet rolls. Each spring she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she nurtured into fruitful abundance to can for the needs of her growing family. She also enjoyed raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. In 1966, Irene and Clarence left the farm and moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where he worked at New Holland manufacturing and she was employed for a time at the Nebraska Veterans Home. She was a woman of faith and was a longtime and faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church in Grand Island. In 2004, Irene endured the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Marcia who battled against MS for several years. She also lost her grandson, Matthew in a plane crash in 2000 and her second husband, Clarence who died in 2007. Irene enjoyed spending her free time working on ceramic handcrafts. She enjoyed keeping abreast of the news in her local newspapers and would read them thoroughly each day she received them. Irene also enjoyed the mental challenge of a good crossword puzzle. Following the death of her husband in 2007, Irene moved to Park Rapids, MN where she could live close by her son and daughter in law. She enjoyed the lakes and trees of northern MN. Above all, Irene will be long appreciated for her devotion to the Lord, her children and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She is survived by her son, Dr. Maurice (Carolyn) Spangler of Park Rapids; her two grandchildren: Aaron (Amy Thielen) Spangler of Two Inlets, MN and Sarah (Paul) Fogleman of Bloomington, IN; her three great grandchildren: Hank Spangler, Irene Fogleman and Isaak Fogleman; her son in law, Merle Doehling of Lincoln, NE; two brothers: Lester (Patty) Niebrugge of Indianapolis, IN and Delmer (Geri) Niebrugge of Syracuse, NE; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Irene was preceded in death by her two husbands; her parents; her daughter, Marcia, grandson, Matthew and one brother, Eldon.Funeral services will be held 2 PM Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at St John"s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Tim Heinecke officiating. The organist will be Kris Kreutzer. St. Johns Sr. Choir will sing "Children Of The Heavenly Father". The casket bearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Aaron Spangler, Amy Thielen and Hank Spangler and Sarah, Irene and Isaak Fogleman. Interment will be made next to her husband, Clarence in the Westlawn Memorial Cemetery in Grand Island, NE.