Loretta was born in Stigler, Oklahoma to Nelson and Edith West. When she was in elementary school she moved to Shafter, Ca. She went to local schools and graduated from Shafter High in 1950. She married the love of her life Gene Dirksen in 1953. They had a beautiful life together raising their 2 daughters Debbie and Kari in Shafter and later Bakersfield. She was a legal receptionist for the Kern County Courts which she loved dearly. She decided to retire to spend more time with her granddaughters. She enjoyed singing to Christian music, going to church at Valley Baptist(where she was a member of the Encouragers class), and playing card games with her many friends and family.

Loretta is preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, her parents Nelson and Edith West, four sisters and one brother and many treasured family and friends. She is survived by her daughter Kari Vincent, Granddaughters Alison Abrams(Matt), Breanna Plumley( Jonathan) and Desiree Spann(Travis), 6 great grandchildren and many treasured friends.