Violet Dirksen

VIOLET DIRKSEN was born to Christoffer Hans and JoAnna (Christensen) Pedersen on May 4, 1922 in Gary, South Dakota where she was raised and attended school. Upon completion of her education, she helped at home. On June 28, 1942, she was united in marriage to Ralph Ahlers at Gary, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they lived in various places and Violet was mainly a homemaker. In 1967, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where she worked as a nurses aid at the Ashton Care Center and later the Good Samaritan Village. On March 25, 1975, her husband preceded her in death. After his death, she continued to live in Pipestone. On October 27, 1976, she was united in marriage to Henry Dirksen. Following their marriage, they lived in Willow Lake, South Dakota. After Henry’s death on February 14, 2003, Violet moved back to Pipestone. On May 6, 2011, she was admitted to the Pipestone County Medical Center; and on May 31, 2011, she entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where she died on Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the age of 89 years, two months and five days.

Violet was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. She enjoyed collecting angels. She was an avid reader, read her Bible daily and loved spiritual books.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children, Edwin Ahlers and his wife Judy of Wall, New Jersey, Allen Ahlers and his wife Deb of Pipestone, Minnesota, Ronald Ahlers and his wife Deanna of Pipestone, Minnesota, Robert Ahlers of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Linda Hollingsworth and her husband Allan of Pipestone, Minnesota; two stepdaughters, Dorothy Fuller and her husband Lee of Henry, South Dakota, and Lois McGillvary and her husband Lawrence of Madison, South Dakota; 13 grandchildren, Allan, Jeff, Shelly, Lisa, Aaron, Andy, Katie, Christopher, Justin, Shannon, Jeremy, Travis, and Courtney; six step-grandchildren, Ron, Pam, Anita, David, Jeremy and Shawn; and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Ahlers, her husband Henry Dirksen; two infant daughters, Alice and Ellen; one granddaughter, Krista; three brothers, Jens Pedersen, Nels Pedersen, and Elmer Pedersen; and two sisters, Matilda Petersen and Marie Olson.