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Garry Dierks was born on December 1, 1944, in Worthington, Minnesota to Ervin and Elnora Hardekopf Dierks. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Fulda, MN and graduated from Fulda High School in 1962. While in high school Garry worked at Taarud’s Service Station in Slayton it was there that he met a young Mary Lucker. On July 9, 1966, he and Mary were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and Garry worked for the Murray County Highway Department and operated Dierks Painting. He retired in 2009 after 43 years with the Murray County Highway Department. Garry then went to work doing road blading for Rock Lake Township, Lake Shetek Township, and continued painting. Mary passed away on May 24, 2019. Garry remained in Slayton until July 2025 when he moved to Good Samaritan in Mountain Lake, MN for rehab. He was moved to Ava’s House in Sioux Falls after a medical procedure. He passed away there on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the age of 80. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where he served as President of the Congregation, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was an Elder. Garry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, coffee with the boys, and visiting.
Survivors include his three children and their spouses, Mike and Dody Dierks of Elko New Market, MN, Kristen Gertsema of St. James, MN, and Lori and Sean Boots of Glenwood, MN, four grandchildren, Payton Dierks, Madison, Kennedy and Dawson Gertsema, his mother, Elnora Dierks of Fulda, MN, siblings, Dennis and Mary Jo Dierks of Fulda, MN, Ron and Beverly of Orlando, Fl, and Gayleen Dierks of St. Cloud, MN, three inlaws, Carol and Richard ”Dick” Engelkes of Slayton, MN, Diane Engelkes of Slayton, MN, and Brian and Jan Lucker of Norwood Young America, MN, special friend, Ruth Engens of Slayton, MN, and many nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his father, wife, Mary, son-in-law, Brad Gertsema, infant sister, Cynthia Dierks, parents-in-law, Clarence and Evelyn Lucker, and one brother-in-law, James “Jim” Engelkes.
Funeral Services were at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jeffrey Williams officiating. The organist was Kathy Schwartz. The pallbearers were Jody Penoyer, Tyler Penoyer, Mark Staples, Wyatt Staples, Craigen Dierks, and Darren Saner. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton, MN.
Visitation was on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton was entrusted with arrangements.
To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
