Dixie L. Arends, age 77, of Luverne, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. A service celebrating her life will be Monday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne with visitation one hour prior at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Dixie Lee Winge was born on March 31, 1945, in Luverne, Minnesota. She was the youngest daughter of Conrad and Doris (Moe) Winge. Growing up, Dixie enjoyed many neighborhood adventures with the “Oakley Street Gang.” She participated in student council, Luther League, played trumpet and was a baton twirler, and sang in the choir. Music would become a lifelong joy; Dixie loved going to concerts and musicals, and always had music playing in her home. In high school she started dating a certain farm boy, Tom Arends.
After graduating from Luverne High School in 1963, she attended Worthington Community College in Worthington, Minnesota, for a year. Dixie moved to the Twin Cities in Minnesota and worked at the University National Bank as a teller.
Tom and Dixie were happily married on Sept. 10, 1966. Dixie continued to work while Tom finished his degree at the University of Minnesota. They then returned home to farm in Luverne and were blessed with two children, Paul and Beth.
Dixie was a wonderful wife and mother and took pride in creating a beautiful, welcoming home for her family and guests. She partnered with Tom on the farm, keeping books and feeding countless coffee breaks and meals to hired men.
Dixie was an active volunteer in her church, community, and Paul and Beth’s activities. In 1990 she fulfilled her dream of going back to college and earning a degree in elementary education from Augustana College. She taught for 10 years, primarily third grade. Dixie loved to learn and delighted in sharing that love with her students.
Dixie’s friends and family were very important to her. Tom and Dixie enjoyed adventures and spending time with their high school, Luverne and Arizona friends. Dixie looked forward to monthly “Sister Bridge” with her sisters and niece Carolynn. Dixie cherished her grandchildren, attending their activities and being an important part of their lives. Dixie will be remembered as a classy lady, and for her kindness, smile and warmth.
Left to treasure the memories and lessons of her life include her husband, Tom; son Paul (Teresa) Arends of Luverne and daughter Beth (Kent) Senf of Fairmont, Minnesota; grandchildren Peyton (Mike) Haburn of Osakis, Minnesota, Colton (girlfriend, Anna McCarty) Arends of Luverne, and Bergen Senf and Solveig Senf, both of Fairmont; sisters Mavis Amundson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and LaJean Lammert of Luverne; brothers- and sisters-in-law Kathy Winge of Lebanon, Oregon, Janice Arends of Dubuque, Iowa, and David and Diane Arends of Brandon, South Dakota; and her nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law John and Ethel Arends; brothers Clayton Winge and Lyman Winge; and brothers- and sister-in-law Dr. Loren Amundson, Marvin Lammert, Rodney Arends, and Carmen Winge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church Youth Group or Generations (formerly Luverne Senior Citizens) LSS Meals on Wheels program.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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