- Name: Benjamin "Ben" Dirks
- Location of Birth: Midland Township near Rock Rapids, Iowa
- Date of Birth: April 15, 1925
- Date of Death: September 26, 2001 (76 years old)
- Parents: Dick Dirks and Tina (Isles) Dirks
- High School and Class:
- College:
- Highest Rank: CPL (Corporal)
- Branch: Marine Corp
- Other Branch: United States Army Air Forces
- Date Sworn In: December 14, 1943
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge: February 27, 1946
- Place of Discharge:
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Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served September 12, 1944 Departure Date from United States February 15, 1946 Date of Return to United States - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
Ben served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was in the Pacific Theater in Okinawa. - Wars Involved:
World War II - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Ben was raised and educated in Iowa.
Following his discharge, Ben began work as a carpenter and later became a bricklayer working in many states.
He worked on several Bemidji State University projects in Bemidji, Minnesota and the Beltrami County jail addition.
Ben was married to Ruth Brenden and together they had five children and were married 35 years. They were later divorced. He married Sadonna Steward on July 14, 1976, in Marshall, Minnesota.
After retiring, Ben managed the Regency Apartments until three years ago.
Ben is survived by his wife, Sadonna; two daughters, Eileen Gauthier and Valoris Pommerenck; two sons, Dick and Dale; three stepdaughters, Sonja Burger, Delores Barnes, and Patty Rockis; two stepsons, Lowell Blooflat and Tim Blooflat; 29 grandchildren; 11 great-grandsons; and two sisters, Mildred Harmes and Dixie Voight.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter, Diane; two brothers, Donald and Terry; and a sister, Amy Lou DeBerg.
Ben died at North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji and was cremated. - Tribal Affiliation(s):