Roy Dierickx

Roy was born on the family farm to Charles and Elizabeth (Buysse) Dierickx outside of Ghent, MN, on November 26, 1919. He was delivered by his father because the snow slowed the country doctor in his horse drawn sleigh. He graduated from Russell High in 1939 where he took an active part in all athletics. The summer of 1939, he hitchhiked from Minnesota to New York City to attend the World’s Fair. After returning to Minnesota, he set out for California where he worked as a carpenter until 1941. When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Roy returned to Minnesota for Christmas and joined the Army Air Corps in March of 1942. In 1944 Roy was promoted to Lieutenant and flew fifty combat missions as command pilot in a B-17 flying fortress in the Mediterranean theatre. For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial combat he was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1945, while wearing his First Lieutenant Uniform, Roy met Jose? VanOverbeke at the Blue Moon Ballroom in Marshall. They were married at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall on November 26, 1946, on Roy’s 27th Birthday. Roy brought his bride home to the same farmhouse where he had been born. The couple farmed there until 1960. In that year, the family moved to Arvada, Colorado where Roy sold real estate for two years. The family returned to Marshall in 1962, where Roy and Jose? spent the rest of their lives. Roy was an avid fisherman, public speaker, carpenter, poker player, pool shooter, and jokester. His wife was known in the community for her singing ability and Roy was always her biggest fan. He was a former member of Toastmasters and was Past Commander of the American Legion Post 113. Roy died Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jose?, in 2007; his parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Buysee) Dierickx; brothers, C. Wallace and Frank Dierickx. He is survived by his six beloved children, Charlene Kramer of Canton, MI, Virginia (Tim) Brown of Sioux Falls, SD, Tony (Barb) Dierickx of Marshall, Mary Jo (Don Horgan) Dierickx of Orinda, CA, Jim (Julie) Dierickx of Overland Park, KS, Bob (Denise) Dierickx of Brandon, SD; 13 grandchildren, Michael, Ryan, Jonathan, Martha, Emily, Francis, Patrick, Ben, Miranda, Emma, Elsie, Cynthia, Joshua; 13 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall or the American Legion Post 113 of Marshall.