Leah Leatrice Dirks, 93, went to meet her Lord on April 25 ^th at the Five County Nursing Home in Lemmon SD.  Leah was born in Rushville NE.  She attended Rushville schools. After graduating she attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Chadron NE receiving a short-term teaching certificate.  Upon completion she taught in rural schools in the Rushville area until she met Dewey Dirks at a dance after a baseball game.  They were married on June 27, 1951 in Rushville.

Dewey and Leah first lived in Martin SD moving to Kadoka SD in 1961, then to Custer in 1986 and spending her last years in Lemmon.

Leah worked at a grocery store in Martin. In Kadoka she cleaned cabins, worked in a restaurant and helped run Dirks Campground.  She also worked in the lunch program in Kadoka and Custer.  Leah was active in the VFW, the Lutheran Churches in Kadoka and Custer where she was an organist.  She volunteered at the Food Pantry and Museum in Custer. During her years in Kadoka she boarded many rural kids attending Kadoka High School and kept in touch with many over the years.  She was also very crafty making many quilts, afghans, and doilies.  Attending sports events of kids and grandkids was a very special time for her. Dewey and Leah enjoyed traveling to many places during their 61 years together.

Survivors include her children Lorinda(Kenneth) Gruhlke, Deanna(Tod)Broman, Dennis(Susan) Dirks, her 9 grandchildren Michelle (Casey) Vietor, Daniel (Holly) Gruhlke, Derek (Ashley) Broman, Joe (Kylee) Gruhlke, Jake (Tiernay) Dirks, Doug (Victoria) Broman, Whitney (Luke) Knaff, Josh (Nicole) Dirks, Breeann (Paul) Miller and 20 great grandkids. Leah was preceded in death by her husband Dewey, her parents, her brother Lloyd. And just 3 hours after Leah's passing her sister, Leta passed as well.

Memorials may be sent to a cancer treatment center of your choice.

Interment will be at 2:30 April 29 ^th at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis followed by memorial services at 2:00 April 30 ^th at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Custer.