Dixie Swanson

FUNERAL SERVICES : will be held 11 AM Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN with the Reverend Gary Walpole and Reverend Derrick Skoglund officiating.VISITATION : will be held 6 - 8:00 P.M., Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.INTERMENT :Interment will be made in the Hubbard Cemetery.SURVIVORS :She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Tanya Swanson of Mpls.; her three sons: Scott (Paula) Swanson of Oakdale, MN, Michael (Terri) Swanson of Hartford, CT and Ron (Merri) Swanson of Northfield, MN; her four beloved grandchildren: Erick, Emily, Natalie and Justin; her three sisters: Betty Stevenson of Jackson, MS, Susie (Charlie) Lyons of Springfield, MO and Connie (Ed) Fullmer of Goodland, FL; her two brothers: Harry (Jo) Stegall of Aiken, SC and Larry (Barbara) Stegall of Cottage Grove, OR; sister-in-law, Nancy Blakemore of Jefferson City, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. DIXIE MARIE SWANSON July 26, 1938 " May 10, 2010 Dixie Marie Swanson, age 71, a long time Park Rapids area resident, passed away peacefully from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Monday, May 10, 2010 at the Innovis Health Center in Fargo, North Dakota with her loved ones at her side. Dixie was born on July 26, 1938 in the hill country near Forsyth, MO to Frank and Edna (Rossner) Stegall. She attended public schools in Springfield, MO where she was a standout athlete competing in synchronized swimming and diving. As a young woman, Dixie met a young airman named Raymond Albert Swanson who was based in Springfield. The two were married on June 9, 1956. This union was blessed with four children: Tanya Rae, Scott Lane, Michael Lynn and Ronald Eric. With Ray"s career in the air force, the Swanson family made their home throughout the United States, living in Wadena, MN, Lewistown, MT, Sioux City, Iowa and for a time in Panama before settling on Long Lake near Park Rapids. During Raymond"s numerous tours of duty to South Korea, Viet Nam, Panama and the Philippines, Dixie cared for her children with great devotion as she surrounded them with love, security and a lot of fun. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious bean soup, Yankee pot roast and her southern biscuits and gravy. In 1968, Dixie and Raymond purchased their dream home, Bay Harbor on Long Lake near Hubbard, MN. Dixie was a gifted artist who loved to create oil paintings. She loved the out of doors and was a gifted arborist. She enjoyed working with plants and arranging beautiful floral pieces. She was known for running the house plant humane society as she had the touch to restore any sick or abused plant into vigourous splendor. Dixie was a gifted hostess who loved to entertain family and friends. In fact, as her kids were growing up she would encourage them to bring their friends home and Bay Harbor became a social mecca, even kids from other countries who were attending college with Dixie"s kids; but had no place to go for the holidays were made to feel right at home at Bay Harbor. Dixie"s life was forever saddened by the sudden death of her husband and soul mate, Ray, in 1991. Her faith was very important to her. She was an active member of the Hubbard United Methodist Church and had also attended Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids. She was a member of the White Birch Artists and the Retired Military Association. Above all, Dixie devoted her life to her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Tanya Swanson of Minneapolis; her three sons: Scott (Paula) Swanson of Oakdale, MN, Michael (Terri) Swanson of Hartford, CT and Ron (Merri) Swanson of Northfield, MN; her four beloved grandchildren: Erick, Emily, Natalie and Justin; her three sisters: Betty Stevenson of Jackson, MS, Susie (Charlie) Lyons of Springfield, MO and Connie (Ed) Fullmer of Goodland, FL; her two brothers: Harry (Jo) Stegall of Aiken, SC and Larry (Barbara) Stegall of Cottage Grove, OR; sister-in-law, Nancy Blakemore of Jefferson City, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her sister, Evelyn Swanson and her brother, Jerry Stegall. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN with the Reverend Gary Walpole and Reverend Derrick Skoglund officiating. Active casket bearers will be Tanya Swanson, Scott Swanson, Michael Swanson, Ronald Swanson, Eric Swanson, David Swanson and Donald Dickerson. The honorary casket bearers will be: Harry Stegall, Larry Stegall, Charlie Lyons, Ed Fullmer, Myron Swanson, Keith Swanson, Dean Swanson, Archie Henderson and Steve Holt. Interment will be made in the Hubbard Cemetery.