Judy Ann Dirks' Obituary
Judy Ann Dirks passed away after a long illness so very peacefully on Wednesday, November 17, 2022, at the Sturgill Hospice House in Spring Hill, FL. She was born on December 20, 1939 in Sterling, IL, the daughter of the late Leo & Nellie (Quimby) Seidel. Judy attended Sterling High School. She married the late Victor R. White in 1959-1960. Later she married the late Gerald R. Peterson, then the late Ron Dirks.
A native of Sterling, IL, she also had lived in Memphis, TN for a short time. In 2018, she moved to Hudson, FL to live with her daughter and family. In 2020 she lived at the Bayonet Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
In Judy’s younger years, she was employed at the Lawrence Park Swimming Pool as a lifeguard and she worked as an LPN at the Home Hospital in Sterling, IL. In Memphis, TN, she was a manager at Shoney’s. When returning back to Sterling, she then was a manager at the Roadside Inn Hotel in the restaurant. She was later a waitress at a restaurant in Rock Falls, IL. In her younger years, with her parents, she attended the West Sterling Mennonite Church when she was a young girl. Much, later in life, in life, she was baptized at the St. Mary’s Church in Sterling, IL. She was involved in the church choir while attending St. Mary’s. At St. Mary’s she also became the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice- President and President of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. She loved helping out so many people in the community. She also was a member of the Spirit Touch singing group of the Rockford, IL Catholic Diocese Group.
Judy was very active in a few clubs. She was a past member of the Ladies of the Moose, a member of the Ladies of the American Legion and enjoyed being a past Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, and President.
She also loved acting in plays that was held at Emerald Hill in Sterling, IL many years ago. If she had any chance of singing and or acting she would be doing as much as she could. What a beautiful voice she had! Besides all of this, she loved being with her family. Taking care of her grandchildren when they were younger was what she enjoyed so very much. She also loved gardening and had such a knack for always having such beautiful flowers in her yard.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Renee (Joe) Vasquez of Hudson, FL and her son, Aaron (Gina) Peterson of Winter Garden, FL; her grandchildren, Joseph (Olivia) Vasquez of Chicago, IL, Jennifer Vasquez of Hudson, FL, Brittany (Peterson) Zych of Winter Garden, FL, Logan (Brittany Burnett) Peterson of Haddock, GA; and Morgan Peterson of Winter Garden, FL; Great-Grandchildren, Peyton Zych of Winter Garden, FL and Landon Peterson of Haddock, GA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son at birth, Christopher Peterson; a brother, Roger Seidel; half-brother, James Hart; and a half-sister, Rosalie (Hart) Frain; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cremation rites will be accorded, per Judy’s request. Grace Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home are handling the arrangements. A Private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
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