Viola H. Dirksen was born on June 6, 1913 in Goodrich, North Dakota and settled in Shafter in 1934. She was 1 of 4 daughters born to John and Mary (Reiswig) Baumbach. On August 1, 1933 she married Simon "Sam" Dirksen at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Shafter. Viola was proud of her over 40 year career as a receptionist for Shafter funeral homes including, Anderson Funeral Home, Agee Funeral Home and Peters Funeral Home. She was also the organist for many Shafter funerals. She was a member of the Shafter Seventh Day Church and served as the pianist/organist, the last years in the children's ministries which she enjoyed very much. Viola is survived by her nieces, Florence Mulder and Verna Luyster and many grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Sam, who passed in 1989; her parents; and her sisters, Martha Rub, Bertha Schultz, and Ruby Hoeger. Graveside services will be held at Shafter Memorial Park on Wednesday, July 28, at 10:00am for Viola H. Dirksen who passed away peacefully on July 21, 2010 in Shafter, California. Pastor Ted Baze will officiate and interment will follow. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 27 from 2pm to 8pm at Peters Funeral Home.