Paula Jean (Deal) Dirkers, 75, of Strafford, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her Strafford home, Thursday, March 19, 2026 after a 13 year struggle with breast cancer. Born September 23, 1950 in Catawba County, NC, Paula graduated from Appalachian State University having attained a B.A. in Art. She loved to create artistic works using various mediums, weaving, knitting, batik, pencil andContinue Reading
Paula Jean (Deal) Dirkers, 75, of Strafford, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her Strafford home, Thursday, March 19, 2026 after a 13 year struggle with breast cancer.
Born September 23, 1950 in Catawba County, NC, Paula graduated from Appalachian State University having attained a B.A. in Art.
She loved to create artistic works using various mediums, weaving, knitting, batik, pencil and paint drawing, and especially paper (origami, customized diaries, figurines, etc).
Over the years Paula worked as an elementary school teacher, librarian, customer service rep, medical office secretary, co-owner of an organic product farm, but most importantly homemaker and home-school teacher to her son and recently to her 4 grandchildren.
Her hobbies included reading, scripture study, bird watching, and volunteer work at food banks and the Springfield library.
Her outstanding and consistent character trait in all these endeavors was kindness and cheerfulness.
Paula had a full and adventursome life. In 1978 she spent an entire summer backpacking & camping through western Europe.
Residence locations of hers include North Carolina, Oregon, Missouri, and Western Australia where her one child was born.
A devout Christian, she affiliated with several Presbyterian churches over the years, most recently the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Springfield, MO.
With her husband she co-authored “A Phonetic Lexicon of Important Hebrew Words” (publication pending).
She was preceded in death by her father Paul, mother Jean, and brother Larry, all of Claremont, NC.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Christopher Dirkers of Strafford, MO, brother Tim Deal and wife Benita of Claremont, NC, nephew Donnie Deal and wife Leslie of Claremont, NC, an Aunt, Evelyn Mauney of Shelby, NC, son Nicholas Dirkers of Seymour, MO, and his four grandchildren Tristan, Lilliana, Rowan, and Brennan.
Dozens of other family and close friends around the world also mourn for her.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 25, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Greenlawn (North) Funeral Home, 3506 North National, Springfield, MO with a memorial service for friends and family at 7:30 pm, also at Greenlawn (North).
Funeral arrangements are by Greenlawn Funeral Services,Springfield, MO, 417-833-1111.
Burial will be private in the Seymour, MO city (Masonic) cemetery.
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