Katherina (Katie) Dirkach, 89, formerly of Killdeer, ND, died Friday, March 23, 2007 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Katie’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 26, 2007 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Pastor Harold Sundgren officiating. Interment will follow at the Killdeer Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday and from 8 a.m. to service time on Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Katie Franchuk was born October 19, 1917 to Jack and Mary (Velenchenko) Franchuk near Grassy Butte, ND. Katie married George Dirkach at Manning, ND on October 5, 1940. She and George farmed northeast of Manning until they retired and moved to Dickinson in the fall of 1976.
Katie was a member of the Heights of Glory Church of God, of which she and George were co-founders. Katie enjoyed sewing and gardening but time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was special to her.
Katie is survived by five daughters; Vivian (Duane) Buck, Bismarck, ND, Marlys (Alwin) Bertsch, Bismarck, Violet (Dennis) Zinke, Peoria AZ, Evelyn Miller, Dickinson, and Shirley (Lon) Roemmich, Bismarck; 11 grandchildren, Vickie Selness, Jenell Nallick, Delmer Bertsch, Laura Pinks, Tonya Bertsch, Tabitha Ellison, Justin Zinke, Micah Miller, Twila Bensen, Monte Roemmich, and Londa Pedersen; nine great-grandchildren, and two nieces and two nephews.
Katie was preceded in death by her husband, George, two brothers, Mike and Alex, one sister, Leda Vassallo, and one infant daughter.
