Dixie Cleveland, 84

Dixie Lee Cleveland, age 84, died Tuesday, July 16, with her family by her side after a recent emergency surgery from which she never fully recovered. Dixie was born to Jessie McGregor and Emmons Chamberlain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on May 5, 1940. 

Dixie is survived by her soulmate, Kenneth Cleveland, with whom she had been married for nearly 65 years; son Kenny (Janlyn); grandchildren Sara Cleveland, Amanda Bianchi (Keenan), Emily Cook (Travis) and Daniel Cleveland; great-grandchildren Autumn and Daisy Bianchi and Miles Cook; daughter Loretta McGovern (Terry); grandson Zachary Lillemo (Danyelle); great-grandson Elton Lillemo; as well as many nieces and nephews who loved their Auntie Dixie.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents and best friend and sister Diane Eppers.

As a young girl, Dixie attended school in Reardon, Wash., and graduated high school from Central Valley in Spokane. It was during summers when she stayed in Post Falls with her father and grandmother that she met Ken Cleveland, with whom she reported going on her first date to the movies upon permission granted by her grandmother.

Ken and Dixie married as a young couple Sept. 4, 1959, in Osburn, Idaho. Their children followed soon thereafter, and the family settled in the Silver Valley, where Ken was employed with the Bunker Hill Company. It was in Washington, Pa., where Ken and Dixie spent a year due to the imminent end of smelting operations at Bunker Hill. This was followed by a short time in Post Falls prior to Ken securing work in Yakima, Wash. The couple, now empty-nesters, made their new home in Selah, Wash., where they received frequent visits from family left behind in Idaho. Dixie was glad to return to Idaho, where many family members still resided once Ken entered retirement. The couple again made a new home, as well as a church home, in Rathdrum, where they resided at the time of Dixie’s passing.

As a young adult and mother, Dixie was employed as a retail clerk and dental assistant. Her primary vocation, however, was being a wife, mother and homemaker. She was meticulous with housekeeping, excellent with handcrafts such as sewing, crocheting and needlepoint, and won many awards at county fairs. She was an avid skier and a loyal friend.

Dixie was appreciated for her kind spirit and laughter. She could often be heard cheering from the sidelines at her son’s sporting events. Her devotion to her immediate and extended family will leave a void that can only be lessened by precious memories of our wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

Being a long-time member of the Lutheran Church, Dixie attended faithfully in each of the communities where she resided. 

A memorial and celebration of her life will take place at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rathdrum on July 27, 2004, at 11 a.m., with a reception following.