Dixie L. Mattes, age 83 of Marion went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The former Dixie Lee Moesch was born on March 12, 1939, in the Town of Washington, Shawano County, to Oscar and Elaine (Olson) Moesch and lived her early years in rural Shawano. Dixie was united in marriage on April 14, 1956, to the love of her life Don D. Mattes. She took great pride in raising her family and was the best mother. The most important job she had was being a stay-at-home mom and as her children grew so did her many talents. She took on many tasks, whether it was a Brownie Leader, a gardener, canning food for her family, or making her yard bloom. Dixie also made and sold her crafts for extra income. She was an amazing seamstress; making many of her children’s clothing, as well as doing mending for lots of other people while the couple owned and operated the Marion Dry Cleaners. In the early years of her marriage, she worked by her husband’s side to build their first home and in later years their retirement home.
Dixie had a love for nature like no other. We recall many family vacations driving down the road and her saying, “Oh look kids at that pretty tree!” or “Wow, look at that huge rock.” All her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren can tell stories of the yearly walks over Shauger’s Hill, hay wagon rides, or picnic lunches and long walks down the railroad tracks. Dixie was also an avid deer hunter for many years; although we mostly think that she hunted to get away from the household tasks and have some peace and quiet from the girls.
Raising her family and hard work paid off as Dixie and Don were able to retire early and winter for 26 years in Apache Junction, AZ. She took her kindness with her and was always willing to help a friend or neighbor. She made many friends in the years spent in Arizona and she even became a 1st place shuffleboard champion. The couple led many hikes through the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. They returned to Marion permanently two years ago due to health issues and she was able to spend more time with her family. Dixie was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marion.
Survivors include her loving husband of 66 years, Don; and four children, Kim (Scott) Polyard of Clintonville, Scott (fiancée Merry McDaniel) Mattes of Marion, Kris (Joseph) Anderson of Marion, and Lynn (Todd) Bessette of Marion. There are 13 grandchildren: Luke (friend Mandi Holm) Gollnow, Adam Christian, Gary (friend Tara Frappy) Gollnow, Robert (Laurie) Mattes, Amber Rockey, Cody (Heather) Bessette, Jennifer Rohan, Chelsey (Rick) Chavez, Kayla Bessette, Heather (Jaime) Silva, Brent (Allyson) Anderson, Gabrielle (Troy) Cookle, and Samuel Anderson. There are 23 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. She is further survived by her sister Rita Hansen; a brother Keith “Buck” (Mariann “Nickey”) Moesch; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, LuAnn Moesch, Judy Moesch, John “Pooch” Mattes, Carol Lubinski, Paul (Sharon) Mattes, Sandy Cerveny, and James (Ann) Mattes; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Elaine Moesch; her parents-in-law, Wesley and Martha Mattes; two brothers, DuLou and Lawrence “Larry” Moesch; and in-laws, Robert & Mary Mattes, Mitzie & Eldon Ziegler, Al Lubinski, and Marian Mattes.
Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 15th at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marion, with Fr. Matthew Settle officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the church. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting with the arrangements. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card.
Comments