Dixie Mae Huber was born on August 3, 1961 in Valentine, NE to Alvin and Mary Jane (Shouldis) Huber. Dixie grew up on the family farm in rural Parmelee and attended school through 8th grade at Prairie View School between Norris and Parmalee. Dixie attended White River High School. She then attended the National College of Business in Rapid City. Dixie worked various jobs until her return to Norris in 1981.
Dixie was blessed with three amazing children that were the center of her life until her grandchildren were born. Summer Rose was born in 1982; Eric Lee in 1985; and Shawna Lynn in 1988. She lived in Rapid City with her three children where she met the love of her life, Gary Butler, in 1990. For the next 30 years they shared excitement and adventure. Dixie returned to Norris in 1997.
Many people were blessed by Dixie’s service to the public in the Norris, Kadoka and Murdo areas. She was employed and managed Discount Fuel for numerous years. She moved to Murdo to manage the grocery store and then returned to Kadoka where she managed Subway and Sunset Grill until her passing.
Dixie loved to camp with her children and grandchildren. She made a yearly ritual of camping at Farm Island where she put up with raccoons digging in her coolers to a tornado powering over the campground. It didn’t matter as long as she was with her grandchildren. She also took her family to various “water holes” around Kadoka to enjoy spending time and making memories with her children and grandchildren. She drove miles to watch her grandchildren play in sporting events and spend time with them, if only for a day.
When Dixie wasn’t working 12 – 14-hour days or spending time with her grandchildren, she enjoyed playing cards, riding motorcycle, and playing pool. She was on the pool league for nearly 15 years and made the end of the year pool tournament a must. Dixie rarely missed going to Wheel Jam in Huron and the car races. She also attended auctions and rummage sales when the opportunity presented itself.
Dixie was well known in the communities she lived in because she was an outgoing, kind, and warm-hearted lady. No matter how busy Dixie was or how much time she didn’t have, she would take a special minute or 10 out of her day to say “Hello”. Many people from friends to sales representatives stopped in Kadoka to visit with Dixie while passing by. Dixie was helpful, especially to those in need. She tried her best to do what she could to bring a smile to people’s faces.
Blessed with sharing her life is her true love and companion of 30 years, Gary “Bud” Butler. Dixie’s family members who will forever love and miss her are her three children Summer Quick Bear, Eric (Carlie) Quick Bear and Shawna (Cordareau) Henderson, Mother, Mary Jane (Kenny) Lolley, sister Debra Willert, half-sister Maggie (Christian) McGhee, half-brother Nathan (Reeta) Huber, step-sisters Laurie (Larry) MacZiewski, Gina (Bret) Strain, step-brothers David (Carrie) Lolley, and Paul Lolley. Dixie’s pride and joy, her grandchildren, Jaden, Connor, Revvin, Kaden, RaeLee, Keaton, Haisley, JaiShawn, Kato, Kyrie, Jacoby, Adarah, Landon and Kimi, her special niece Helena (Will) Kleynhans, her Uncle Pete (Diane), a host of cousins, family members and friends.
Dixie was preceded in death by her loving dad Alvin Huber, best uncle ever - Herbert Huber (Boo-Boo) grandson Bryken, and special friend Robert Briggs.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 4th, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating.
Graveside services will be held 1:30 (MST) on Monday, at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery near Norris.
Guest Book
Dixie was a childhood neighbor who never forgot a friend or face she was a very caring person and will be greatly missed. As a manager she always made sure you were served and didn't want for anything!
~ Cindy (Kary) Brunson
Igloo, SD (12/28/2020)
So blessed to have been friends and worked with Dixie. She always had an upbeat attitude and was fun to be around. She will be missed by many.
~ Mike & Dawn Cromwell
Butternut, Wisconsin (12/27/2020)
So sorry for the loss of a sweet, kind and loving person. She always had that special smile. Rest in Peace sweet lady...you will truly be missed.
~ Jacquie Keever
Gillette Wyoming (12/27/2020)
Special person to so many people. Rest in peace, my friend.
~ Margo R.
Kadoka (12/24/2020)
Mary Jane and Gina. Sorry for the lose of your daughter and sister! Our sympathy is with you
~ Jean & Bob
Buffalo WY (12/27/2020)
The rest of the Story:
After reading the things said about my niece Dixie Huber on the Rush Guest Book I have to agree that she was a great Mother , Grandmother and friend to all. She did not hesitate to challenge me and at times debate an issue that she knew would "get a rise out of me".
I have to agree with Grant in that Dixie may have been her own worst enemy. She gave a lot of herself, her time and resources to others and in doing so left very little for herself.
She was sort of like the Energizer Bunny. Her adult life was far from easy as it is for any single mother. In her case mother of 3 and Grandmother to many. She seemed to put the needs of so many others first and hers secondary. She just "Kept On Ticking."
She had a working relationship With Grant Patterson in managing for him in Kadoka, then going to Murdo to help her sister Deb make something out of Murdo family Foods. Then back to Grant and the Kadoka Sunset Grill and Subway. She told me about her trips and things involved with establishing the Subway restaurant.
She did not back away from a new challenge.
Yesteryear when we were all some younger I often came to Mary and Alvins' after a night of "howling" I'd plop on the couch and in the morning wake up to my favorite poet - Roger Miller singing Dang Me, You can't rollerskate in a Buffalo herd, Do, Wack a Do. She never let me forget that, nor the tunes.
Dixie did have a huge impact on her community. In this case "her community" stretched from Norris to White River to Murdo to Longvalley to Parmalee to Wanblee to Rapid City to Phillip and Kadoka. I was present many times when someone would come in the restaurant from any of these places, say hello to her and they would take up as if they had never parted.
Dixie did value her employees. I know of many times an employee did not have a car to get to work. After opening she would drive to pick them up and take them back home if it was their only means. She had an employee in the house and the employee had a working wage - benefit to all.
Dixie told me about times when in the Subway - summer time - they made as many as 4-500 sandwiches daily. Do the math and you will realize how well her personnel worked for her without fail.
In establishing the layout of the Sunset Grill a round table was placed in the SW corner. That table was placed for the "knights of the Round Table" to commune daily. I think that is perhaps part of her definition of "community." I sat at the "Round Table" a few times with the Knights Bob, Orvile, Bruce and others.
I was at the table many times when Dixie would come over, listen to what was going on and begin to banter with everyone on the opposite side of an issue - just to get a reaction and all a laugh.
Last late summer Dixie was undergoing exams in Rapid City to seek eligibility for a spot on the transplant list. While she did this she would get up at 4am in Kadoka, open the restaurant, get employees and things started for the day, drive to Rapid City for the tests, do 3 1/2 hours of dialisis, drive to Kadoka to work until closing and the next day start all over again. Sometimes she stayed in Rapid when dialisis ran late then head out early the next morning to get things going in the restaurants.
On one of these days Dixie called and asked Diane and I if we would go to Rushmore Shadows and have a steak grill with her. We did and through the evening she told us of the effect of dialisis on her, the transplant eligibility process, the hours she spent devoted to work and things with the grandkids. She indicated it was quite a load and I asked her why she did it all. That maybe she could just concetrate on the transplant.
Her answer - "it's my job." Many people could not have maintained her schedule much less insist on doing it all. She simply did not know how to not work. Whether she realized it or not, she did set a fine example for her grandkids. She had them work for her when they could and rewarded them for it. They helped Diane and I clean up and get the house ready for living that I purchased in Kadoka and did a fine job.
We have all heard the expression "paying it foreward."
An example of Dixies standards, compassion, and fairness to all I witnessed one summer day. I stoped in Kadoka from White River to have lunch. Dixie came to me and asked if I would give young hitchiker a ride to Rapid. I said sure and she introduced us. He had been hitching across the US and ran short of funds. He had asked Dixie for a meal and she said "sure if you are willing to work for it." He agreed, she had put him to work cleaning around both restaurants and when he finished brought him, his meal, and mine to my table. He and I left for Rapid and along the way I gave him a little history of the country we drove through to include the missle site.
Somewhere in this world I imagine the young man has reflected on that day, Dixie and her fairness and continues to "pay it foreward." The same goes for her kids, grandchildren, and others who experienced her unselfish nature.
If they use her example and "pay it foreward" she will have done "her job."
Yes, Dixie, without a doubt you may rest easy, you have done your "job."
~ Uncle Pete
(1/11/2021)
Rest in Peace Dixie. Your friendly smile will be missed.
~ Jerry Sanftner
Rapid City, SD (12/23/2020)
We are so saddened to hear of Dixie's passing. She was a special person that always made you laugh. She will be missed by many.
~ Ansel & Teresa Wooden Knife
Interior, SD (12/27/2020)
Our thoughts with the family. Her visits and smile will be missed by many. We always enjoyed sharing a lunch at Sunset Grill, she always had time for everyone and was such a kind hearted lady. RIP
~ Amelia Hurley and Mike Livermont
(12/31/2020)
Never saw Dixie without a big smile and a pleasant greeting to share! She was someone who just made you feel good when you were around her. She will truly be missed. Sympathy to Dixie's family.
~ Roxy Richardson
(1/3/2021)
God called home one of the most loving mothers, grandmothers, and friends of all. We had the pleasure to work together with Dixie for 18 years. Dixie was the most loving person in the world. Dixie probably was her own worse enemy when it came to her work ethic. She loved being around people so much she found it hard to go home. Dixie loved her grandchildren so much that she brought them to the business so she could be near them. Now and then someone would ask if this was a day care facility, but it did not bother me to see a grandma that loved her grandchildren so much she wanted them by her side. Dixie was so loving if she had to let an employee go from their job she would cry 90 percent of the time. Dixie truly loved people. We were gifted graciously to be able to be Dixie's employer and friend. Dixie was truly a sweetheart that will be missed by all. Heaven awaits a wonderful and loving person. Our sympathy is with all of Dixie's family.
~ Grant Patterson
Kadoka (12/26/2020)
Sending our condolences to Dixie's Family. She will be missed, she was always a warm personality to be around. She had a large impact on her community and the ones around her and she will be missed greatly.
~ Cody Nordine
Rapid City, SD (12/28/2020)
Colorado
~ Otis Perkins
Lakewood (12/27/2020)
It did not matter where I saw Dixie her greeting was always the same. A boisterous "Hello" and a caring and loving hug. Dixie, enjoy heaven!
~ Kathy Chesney
Philip (12/24/2020)
Sorry to hear about the passing of Dixie. She was a Kind Lady.
~ Jon & Gina Butler
Minnesota (12/30/2020)
Thinking of all of you and sending hugs and prayers to you. RIP Dixie. You were a special person.
~ Linda Stilwell
Kadoka SD (12/23/2020)
Out deepest condolences to you and your family....You are in our thoughts and prayers
~ Paul and Roxanne Juilfs....Annette Wisdom
Mesa,Arizona (1/4/2021)