Dorothy Lea Dirksen, 94, of Hutchinson, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at Thorne Care Center in Hutchinson. She was born June 30, 1916, in Walker, Minn., the daughter of John and Rosa Frances Emberton Harrison. She attended school in Harrison and Springdale, Ark. She was a homemaker and housekeeper.


She belonged to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hutchinson.

On Aug. 26, 1934, she married Martin H. "Marty" Dirksen in Fayetteville , Ark. He died Jan. 30, 1989. Survivors include: sons, Dr. Don Dirksen and wife Jalayne, Wichita, and Martin Harvey Dirksen and wife Mavis, Hutchinson; a daughter, Carol Dirksen, Hutchinson; a family friend, Regis B. Yager Jr., Nickerson; brothers, William Fairley and wife Jean, Cave Springs, Ark., Wayne Fairley and wife Elwanda, Farmington, Ark.; sisters, Rosalea Davis and husband George, Elm Springs, Ark., and Nancy Thomas, Farmington, Ark.; a sister-in-law, Rowena Harrison, Sand Springs, Okla.; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers, Harvey Harrison, John Thomas Harrison, Bailey Harrison, Jimmy Lee Harrison, and two infant twin brothers; a sister, Seritha Norris; and a brother-in-law, Darrel Thomas.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum at Hutchinson. Visitation will be Tuesday 3 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family greeting friends Wednesday 7 to 8 p.m., all at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave the family a condolence.