Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271861
Title: Shirley Dixon
Date: 12/19/1924-11/19/2015
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 12/19/1924
Summary: Shirley Dixon, 90, Watford City, ND, passed away at the Hillsboro Medical Center in Hillsboro, ND, on November 19, 2015. Shirley’s funeral service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Watford City, on November 25, 2015, where she was a member for more than 50 years. Reverend Dan Paulson officiated. Burial was in the Schafer Cemetery, Watford City. Shirley was born to Clarence and Susan Trapp on December 19, 1924, in Marion, ND. While growing up she loved school and was a joy to her teachers, because she always knew her lessons. Following high school graduation, she went off to Jamestown College to take the two-year standard course for prospective teachers. When the course was completed, Shirley considered her options and finally decided upon Watford City. She headed west to teach 5th graders. It was there that she met the local Gamble Store dealer, Bill Dixon. When the year ended, Shirley returned back east and began teaching at the Junior High in Oakes, ND. It wasn’t long before Bill discovered all kinds of conventions and various business matters in eastern ND that needed immediate attention, but in order to get to his destination he had to take the less traveled road through Oakes! After teaching in Oakes for two years, Shirley decided she wanted to go on to college to complete a Bachelor’s Degree, so she chose the University of North Dakota. While there she studied voice, history, and philosophy. Once her degree was completed, Shirley returned to Marion and taught there for one year. In the middle of the year, on January 12, 1949, she married Bill at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN. She finished the school year, as she promised her father she would do, and moved to Watford City in the spring. The first few years of marriage Shirley helped Bill with his business endeavors, before moving to the Badlands Ranch in 1955. They had four children, Dotti, Patti, Billie, and John. Shortly after John was born in 1964, Shirley received a call to return to teaching. After careful consideration she taught one year at a one-room country school south of the ranch, and then started a long career teaching fourth grade in Watford City. After she retired from full-time teaching, Shirley continued to teach kindergarten in Grassy Butte each year during the spring quarter of school (1984-94). After she retired from this position, she continued to be a substitute teacher as she loved school and helping students learn. From 1985-2000 Shirley and Bill wintered at their home in Monte Vista, Mesa, AZ from November to March. Shirley was actively involved in water exercise, ceramics, painting, singing in the choir, and enjoying the warm weather with “snow bird” friends. Wherever Shirley resided laughter and fun followed. In 2009 Shirley moved to the Waterford/Touchmark Retirement Center in Bismarck, ND where she enjoyed devotions class, musical opportunities, craft activities, and afternoon coffee time with friends. After six great years in Bismarck, Shirley briefly lived at Maple View in Grand Forks and at the Hillsboro Care Center where she died on November 19th. Shirley is survived by three children, Dotti (Randy) Dixon Schmeling, Mandan, ND, Billie Dixon, Grand Forks, ND, and John (Kim) Dixon, Mandan, two grandchildren, Brock Schmeling, and Kaitlin Dixon both of Mandan, and one sister, Betty Henrikson, Marion. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Patti (Rudy) Dixon Syminow, and her husband, William (Bill) Dixon.
Red ID: FND_I_79356 Image ID: 538438 Image Notes: FND001 271861

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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