Monica Dirnberger

With the love of baseball and family, Monica and Vincent Dirnberger established the "Field of Dreams" for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and welcomed all who wanted to come and join the family, and many did.

Usually the cheerleader, Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in the comfort of her home and surrounded by family, Monica stood up to bat and hit her last home run.

She now is safely home with her center fielders, a son, Ronald Eugene Dirnberger who preceded her in death Sept. 10, 1971, and a son-in-law, Michael Leon Ward, who died June 14, 1994. Her parents, three brothers and five sisters also preceded her in death.

She was born May 3, 1929, in Charleston, Mo., to Henry and Catherine Bruenderman Duenne. She and Vincent C. Dirnberger were married June 18, 1949.

After 64 years of a wonderful life together, she is survived by her husband of Benton, Mo.; seven daughters, Kay Elkins, Carolyn Ward, Joyce (Harold) Eftink, Judy (Steve) Lynn, JoAnn (Kenny) Heisserer, Linda (Mike) Senciboy and Rosemary (Derrick) Irwin; a special daughter, Nellie (Daryl) Kirkpatrick; and two sons, Gerard (Shari) Dirnberger and Joe (Valerie) Dirnberger.

Also 27 grandchildren, Rachel Felter, Vincent (Ashley) Elkins, Karrin Lee, Becky Moore, Jaime Howell, DeAnna Hamilton, Matthew (Stacey) Kirkpatrick, Cheryl (Jason) Torres, Eric (Jennifer) Beardslee, Tyler Beardslee, Austin Eftink, Rhonda (Daniel) Carroll, Jeremy (Jennifer) Lynn, Dana (Jeremy) Daniel, Andrea (Kyle) Koepp, Travis (Gretchen) Dirnberger, Ashley (Shayn) Mabury, Cody Dirnberger, Garrett (Emily) Senciboy, Monica (Major) Burger, Brandon (Cara) Dirnberger, Amber (Trent) Walter, Carrissa Dirnberger, Bryce Dirnberger, Trevor Irwin, Trent Irwin and Taylor Irwin.

Also 32 great-grandchildren, Austin, Brylee Elkins, Jasmine, Jaylen, Jaxson Lee, Hudson Moore, Michaela Howell, Matthew, Michael and Julia Hamilton, Emma and Madelyn Kirkpatrick, Peter, Nathaniel, Andrew and Joseph Torres, Graycen Beardslee and Ava Kenkel (Beardslee), Mason and Millie Carroll, Jersie and Grayden Lynn, Allie, Andrew and Anniston Daniel, Beckam Koepp, Bennett Dirnberger, expecting Shayley Mabury in August, Hayden Senciboy, Leelynn Walter, Oliver Walter and Berkley Dirnberger; and a sister, Catherine Showmaker of Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, Mo. Parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Michael Casteel officiating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in New Hamburg, Mo.

Memorial donations may be made to Money Box for the Needy at St. Denis Church.

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