Charles Constant Thomas Dirckx

Mankato Mortuary 1001 North Riverfront Drive Mankato, MN 56001 507-388-2202 Mass of Christian Burial for Charles Dirckx, age 80 of Mankato will be held Tuesday, November 25, 2014, 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Visitation will be held Monday, November 24, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by Mankato Area Veteran's Rifle Squad. Charles C. T. Dirckx was born February 6, 1934, in Marshall to Leo and Dina (Lens) Dirckx. He grew up in a family of ten children on the family farm near Ghent. The strong work ethics he learned on the farm carried on throughout his life; it was often said of Charles that he could do the work of several men. He worked many years fixing appliances with Schwickerts. In November of 1953, Charles enlisted in the United States Army. He was a truck driver in Korea following the Korean War, until his honorable discharge in April of 1956. Charles was the proud father of six children. He loved taking them fishing at Hickie's Landing on Loon Lake and to Rapidan. Charles loved to be around people; this included taking care of his neighbors, Verola and Elsie, having coffee every morning at HyVee and walking around the mall. He served in many capacities as an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He spent many hours cheering on his favorite sports teams during the football season and cheering on the Minnesota Twins. His proudest moments were times spent with his seven grandchildren. He is survived by his children: Steven (Connie) Dirckx, Robert (Barb) Dirckx, James (Mary) Dirckx, Diane (Felix Lara) Koch, Douglas Dirckx, and Debra Beil; seven grandchildren; one great granddaughter; brothers: Leo, Ferd, Vince, Richard and Greg (Judy); sisters: Bernie (Bob) DeCock, Clare (Doug) Freyseth. He was preceded in death by: his parents; Brother David Dirckx and his sister Mary Furhman.