My Uncle Henry

It is with great sorrow that the family of Dr. Henry Theodore Dirks announces his sudden death, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006. He was 76 years old.

Predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Agnes Dirks; he will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife Elizabeth (Betty); his two daughters, Mary Husband and Janet Dirks; sons-in-law, Dr. Jeff Husband and Peter Hogg; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Jillian and David Husband. He is also survived by his seven siblings, Victor (Margaret Barton), Neil (Laurette), Elisabeth, Irene, John (Fay), Rosemarie (Arnold Thiessen) and Marguerite (Rudolf Dyke).

Born in Arnaud, MB, Henry was the fifth of eight children. In his teen years the family moved to North Kildonan. Upon graduation from United College Collegiate, Henry received a BSc from the University of Manitoba and an MA from the University of Toronto. Henry felt a calling to pursue medicine and received an MD in 1959 (University of Manitoba). He was an extremely caring and devoted family practitioner, serving the Kildonan community until formally retiring at age 75. While serving at Concordia Hospital, Henry headed the Emergency Department and then became Medical Director. In addition, he was medical examiner for The Province of Manitoba for many years. In 2000 he was awarded the Martin Bergen Award for longstanding contributions to the community served by Concordia Hospital.

Henry married Elizabeth Lewicki whom he met and fell in love with at the University of Manitoba. Together they shared 48 years of happiness, enjoying travel, gardening, books, art, history and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. They also shared a deep Christian Faith. Henry was an active member of Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church for more than 40 years. Last year, Henry realized his lifetime dream by visiting Israel.

A man who was generous to the core, Henry spent a lifetime looking after people, devoted to alleviating their suffering. He was much loved and will be truly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry's memory may be made to the Mennonite Benevolent Society, 1045 Concordia, Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7 or the Jewish National Fund: Plant Trees in Israel, 1-800-542-TREE (8733). Interment will take place on Thursday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, 1771 Pembina Hwy.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God. For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 2146 Main Street 339-5555.