Norman Herbert Dierking

Rev. Norman Herbert Dierking, 63, of Freedom, Missouri, was called to eternal life with Jesus on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He was born July 25, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of the late Rev. Walter and Louise (Lohrmann) Dierking. Rev. Dierking was a graduate of St. Paul's Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri. He attended Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned a Master's degree in Divinity. He also attended University of Missouri - Columbia where he earned a Master's in Social Work. On June 11, 1971, he was united in marriage to Susan Calvert who survives at the home. Rev. Dierking served in numerous Lutheran Churches throughout the Missouri Synod, most recently at Pilgrim Lutheran Church - Freedom, Missouri and St. John Lutheran Church - Drake, Missouri. He enjoyed reading the Bible, playing golf, yard work and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Along with his wife Susan, he is survived by one daughter: Jennifer Johnson (Michael) of Jefferson City; three sons: Matthew Dierking (Alicia) of Des Moines, Iowa; Jonathan Dierking of Jefferson City and Michael Dierking (Lisa) of Jefferson City; six siblings: Karl Dierking (Marie) of Rockford, Illinois; Clara Borchardt (Elsworth) of Wausaw, Wisconsin; Wilma Melendez (Andrew) of Boonville, Missouri; Richard Dierking of Danville, Illinois; Ruth Jeffries of Boonville, Missouri; and Howard Dierking (Carol) of Boonville, Missouri; six grandchildren: Luke Johnson, Adam Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Megan Dierking, Jacob Dierking and Emily Dierking; and one sister-in-law: Barb Dierking of Bonne Terre, Missouri. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Markus Dierking and Rodney Dierking. Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2011, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Russ Bowder officiating. Interment will follow in the Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Freedom or St. John Lutheran Church, Drake. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street; (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com