Susan M. Dircksen, 49, 3618 state Route 119, Minster, died at 10 p.m. Aug. 28, 2006, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, following a lengthy illness.

She was born Aug. 23, 1957, in St. Marys, to Donald and Joan Bensman Thieman. Her father and her stepmother, Verna Thieman, survive. On Sept. 6, 1980, she married Edward J. Dircksen, who also survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Mark, Tiffin, and Nick, at home; two daughters, Cindy, Minster, and Renne, at home; a sister, Maria (Brian) Schwieterman, New Bremen; five stepsisters, Judy (Dennis) Hostiuck, Christine (Ray) Hedger and Debbie (Richard) Hostiuck, all of Cincinnati, Patricia Westmark, Houston, Texas, and Carolyn Westmark, Richmond, Va.

Deceased is a stepbrother, Steve Westmark.

A 1975 graduate of Minster High School, she had attended Mount St. Joseph College, Cincinnati, for two years. She was employed part-time at the Minster High School cafeteria. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and a volunteer in its religious education program.

Services are 10 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Rick Nieberding officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-9:30 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to the Auglaize County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.