AVONNE JUNE DIRKS, age 80, of Worthington, died Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Crossroads Care Center in Worthington. She was born June 9, 1932 in Ellsworth, MN; to parents, Roy and Freida (Buss) Doeden. As a young girl she moved with her family to rural Worthington. When she was ten years old, they moved into Worthington. Avonne graduated from Worthington High School in 1950.
She was united in marriage to Donald Dirks on July 21, 1950 in Worthington. They made their home in Worthington until she became a resident of Crossroads Care Center on August 31, 2009.
Avonne was a member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Worthington. She had been Sunday school superintendent, teacher, youth fellowship leader and president of the UMW ladies and circles.
Avonne enjoyed rock hunting, gardening, camping, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, camp fires, singing and being with her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and her husband Donald, as they always shared their time together.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Dirks, Worthington; children, Debra A. (Alan) Vogt, Magnolia; Bruce A. (Janet) Dirks, Owatonna; and Barbara Deuel, Hendricks; eight grandchildren, Christa (Michael) Buechler, Laura (Andrew) Ellsworth, Jesson (Casey) Vogt, Erica Dirks, Brant Dirks, Dwight Deuel, Schuyler (Bernadette) Deuel and Gordon (Melissa) Deuel; eight great grandchildren, Marissa, Julia and Erick Buechler, Eli Ellsworth, Henry and Hazel Deuel, Aurora and Benjamin Deuel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Diana Horkey.