Christine Jirges

A funeral Mass for Christine Jirges, 99, Dickinson, is 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Hradec, with Rev. William Ruelle celebrating. Burial will follow in the Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Visitation for Christine is noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil service at 7 p.m.

Christine passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson.

Christine was born Aug. 23, 1913, to Josef and Mary (Krehlik) Kostelecky on the family homestead, in Stark County, about nine-and-one-half miles southwest of Dickinson. She was educated through the eighth grade in a rural country school, near her home.

After the death of her mother on March 2, 1926, Christine helped her father and older sisters raise her younger siblings. She also helped with daily housework and farm chores.

On Sept. 21, 1937, Christine married Norbert Jirges at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dickinson. Following their marriage, they lived with his parents and brother and his wife, on the family farm four miles northwest of New Hradec. Together they farmed and ranched.

In 1942, Christine and Norbert moved to their own farm south of his parents homestead. It was here that they raised their seven children. They raised small grains, beef cattle, several dairy cattle, hogs and poultry. In their early years, during the summer, Christine spent many hours helping Norbert with farm field work, especially during haying and harvest seasons.

Christine loved raising bedding plants, house plants, flowers and a large vegetable garden. She enjoyed listening to old-time music, cooking and baking (especially kolaches, a family favorite).

Christine also filled her spare time with reading, embroidering, sewing many quilts, collecting recipes and scrapbooking newspaper articles. She looked forward to visiting with family and friends and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Christine moved into Dickinson in April 2010 and due to failing health became a resident at St. Benedict’s Health Center on Sept. 18, 2012.

Christine was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and daily prayed the rosary and many other prayers. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the Rosary Society in New Hradec.

Christine is survived by her children, Lorraine (Dorman) Bezdicek of Dickinson, Jane A. (Randoll) Jahner of Lemmon, S.D., Dianna (Frank R.) Jahner of Bottineau, Arnold Jirges of Dickinson, Judith Chorne of Dickinson, Geraldine (John E.) Weisgerber of Bismarck, and Marie Jirges of Dickinson; 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Margaret Kostelecky; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norbert (Feb. 17, 1993); sisters and brothers-in-law, Phelemen (Anton) Barta, Agnes (Isadore) Kostelecky, Rose (Joseph, Sr.) Zastoupil, and Dorothy A. (William P.) Kostelecky; brothers and sisters-in-law, Edmund (Catherine) Kostelecky, Lloyd Kostelecky, Clement (Helen) Kostelecky, and George B. Kostelecky; infant brother, Robert; infant sister, Mildred; half-sisters and half-brothers-in-law, Emilie (Anton) Splichal, Mary (Vincent Sr.) Krehlik, and Catherine (Frank J.) Barta; infant half-sister, Frances; and two half siblings, Anna and Joseph Kostelecky who died while the family still lived in Russia.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson

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