Dr. Don Dirksen, DDS, 86, finished his final marathon at his home in Wichita and went to be with the Lord August 31, 2022. He was the first-born son of Martin H. and Dorothy (Harrison) Dirksen on August 14, 1936, in Hutchinson.
Don graduated from Enterprise Academy, Enterprise, KS, Hutchinson Community Junior College, and the University of Nebraska College School of Dentistry. He practiced Dentistry 33 years and was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association. Don enjoyed family time, reading, baseball games, classical music, running, attending the symphony, and much more. Just last year he was running 6-8 miles regularly. Don was a member of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Hutchinson. On November 25, 1959, he married Jalayne Chappel, in Hutchinson.
Don is survived by: his wife of almost 63 years, Jalayne of Wichita; children, Mike Dirksen, Mark Dirksen, both of Wichita, Ann Baus (Mark) of La Crosse, and Jill Dirksen of Chicago; brother, Martin Harvey Dirksen (Mavis); sister, Carol Dirksen (Regis Yeager) all of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 11:30 am Friday, September 9, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Visitation will be 9 am to 8 pm Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
Click here to view Don's service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dr. Don Dirksen Memorial Fund or Seventh-day Adventist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.