Dixon, Donald Raymond 1944-2008

DIXON, KOEHLER, CONOVER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2008 at 18:58:01

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, November 6, 2008

Don Dixon, 64, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Donald Raymond Dixon was born April 11, 1944, in Anthon, one of 12 children born to Francis and Edna (Koehler) Dixon. He grew up on a farm near Anthon and graduated from Anthon-Oto High School in 1962. In 1967 Don graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. He married Vicki M. Conover Oct. 28, 1967, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Anthon. Following their marriage the couple lived for several years in the Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff area while Don was employed as a teacher with the Sergeant Bluff-Luton School.

Don and Vicki moved to Le Mars in 1979 and he was employed with Wells' Dairy. He retired last year after 31 years with Wells'.

Don was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars.

He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was extremely proud of his seven grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and the New York Yankees.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Vicki Dixon of Le Mars; three children and their spouses: Michelle and Jason Hartman of Le Mars, Jill and John Barton of Prior Lake, Minn., and Kirk and Val Dixon of Parkville, Mo.; seven grandchildren: McKenzie and Morgan Hartman, Jessica, Chase and Shaye Barton and Jackson and Jayme Dixon; his mother-in-law EmmaJean Schwartz of Ida Grove; 11 brothers and sisters: Helen (Lyle) Sapp of Omaha, Neb., Bob (Diane) Dixon of Pensacola, Fla., Ralph (Karen) Dixon of Helena, Mont., Nick (Jo) Dixon of Weatherby Lake, Mo., Joan Walsh of Sioux City, Alice (Fred) Straub of Spokane, Wash., John (Linda) Dixon of Anthon, Patsy (Steve) Moseman of Sioux City, Mary (Steve) Diamond of Cheney, Wash., Mike (Linda) Dixon of Atlanta, Ga., and Debbie Dixon of Sheldon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Edna Dixon; and his father-in-law, Forrest "Tootie" Conover.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday with a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorials may be directed in Don's name to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City.