Dixie Lee Emerson, 81

Dixie Lee Emerson, 81, passed away on Oct. 18, 2019, after complications following heart surgery.

She was born Aug. 25, 1938, in Kalispell to Chauncey (Chance) Beebe and his wife Beatrice. Dixie was a true Montana native. Her family’s legacy was rooted in our own Glacier National Park, as her grandfather, Chance, was one of the first rangers in the park in 1917 to hold station in the North Fork, Two Medicine, St. Mary’s and Many Glacier rangers stations with his wife Eva. Dixie was proud of her connection and would often share these early homesteading stories she heard growing up, many of which are published throughout the Glacier historical literature.

Dixie was raised in Columbia Falls with her five siblings: sisters Laura, Donna, Nancy and Eva, as well as her brother Don Beebe. She attended Columbia Falls High School and graduated in 1956. She remained close with many of her classmates throughout the years, often attending lunches or meeting up for coffee.

In the year 1960 Dixie met the one true love of her life, James “Jim” Emerson, and they soon married on Oct. 22 of that same year. They established their home on Conn Road in Columbia Falls, raising their three children Jodi, Chad and Eric. Most days went by with Jim working on a project in his shop, a handful of kids playing in the barn or within and around the tree farm, often building forts and lighting fireworks, all while Dixie oversaw it all with unending snacks and hugs for every kid that ran though her kitchen. For several years she balanced family life with a career while working at the Hungry Horse News. When her husband Jim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Dixie remained close by his side as his primary caregiver and best friend till his passing in the fall of 1998; she never remarried, nor ever took off her wedding set. She instead lived independently and traveled the world with her sisters.

She took on a part time job at South Side Antiques to pass the time and stay involved with people in her community. Dixie was a devoted grandmother to her five grandchildren, Amanda, Alyssa, Logan, Liv and Chance. She was constantly attending their many special events and activities or babysitting with a loving heart and watchful eye. She took special notice in their varied interests, always sitting and listening about their day or concerns. There was never any doubt she loved each of them fiercely. She was an extraordinary Gramma.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Chauncey and Beatrice; her sisters, Nancy, Donna and Laura; her beloved Jim; and her youngest son, Eric.

She is survived by her son, Chad (Brandi), father of grandson Logan; daughter, Jodi (Reid), mother of granddaughters Amanda and Alyssa; daughter-in-law, Melissa, mother of granddaughter Liv and grandson Chance; her sister, Eva (Bob); and her brother, Don. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Dixie Emerson was a gift to all who knew her because of her insatiable sense of humor, appreciation of the simple things in life and the unwavering love for her family that spanned many generations.

There will be a visitation held for Dixie from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 26, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory, with services to be held at 2 pm Sunday, Oct. 27, at Adventure Church 248 2nd Ave. West, Kalispell. Burial will follow services at St. Richard Cemetery, Columbia Falls.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.