Janese “Jan” Marie Dirkes

Janese “Jan” Marie Dirkes was born Sept. 23, 1949, in Scott City, Kansas, and passed away peacefully on Nov. 21, 2022, at home near Libby, Montana.

She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Dirkes, of 55 years, along with their three children and families: Sean and Wendy, and grandchildren Shyla and Jacob Dirkes; Mike and Zheng, and grandchildren Sara Stoker and Bryan Dirkes, as well as her two great-grandchildren Natalie and Cameron; and Holly and granddaughter Kesche Luna, and son-in-law David Luna, Jr.

Although she was born in Kansas, she grew up in Longmont, Colorado. She and Bill dated the summer after she graduated high school and were married soon thereafter on Nov. 4, 1967.

She and Bill moved back and forth between Colorado and Montana three times before finally settling in Libby in 1973.

Jan wasn’t a typical stay-at-home mother to her three children. She was actively involved in their daily lives, especially when it came to their education experiences.

Jan volunteered to drive the lone school bus between Libby and Three Lakes Christian School (near Savage Lake, outside of Troy) every school day for 3 years. At this same time, she also served as the school clerk and occasional substitute teacher.

Jan volunteered for many years at Libby Convalescent Center. She would do hair permanents for the ladies and play chess with the men at the Convalescent Center.

Jan was also an Avon door-to-door salesperson for many years. She worked at Benjamin Franklin in the Libby Shopping Center (when it was next to Henry’s) for several years.

She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in June of 1990 from Flathead Valley Community College. Jan held leadership roles and was very active in the Libby Diabetic Awareness and Support Group. She also managed the office for her husband’s construction business for many decades.

Jan enjoyed traveling both across the U.S. and internationally. Jan and Bill traveled to Cyprus, England, France, Ireland, Canada and Mexico. They visited almost every state in the U.S. while traveling together in conjunction with Bill’s work in the construction industry.

Jan thoroughly relished her morning coffee and Bible studies with Bill, was an avid reader, and enjoyed numerous hobbies including gardening, canning, cooking, sewing, needlepoint, knitting and crocheting.

She was always ready with a smile and a laugh for family and friends. Her quick wit and sense of humor were some of her hallmark qualities. She was also fiercely loyal, honest and strong-willed, as well as compassionate and steadfast. While not perfect, she was perfectly honest that she loved God and knew that her eternal resting place would be with her heavenly Father who loved her unconditionally.

She did not wish to be mourned but wanted to be celebrated. To honor this, the family will hold a celebration of life next year when the flowers in her peace garden are in full bloom.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jan’s charity of choice, the Voice of the Martyrs at https://www.persecution.com/.