Dixie Lee Frey was born February 19, 1941 at Winner, South Dakota to Fred and Ruth (Larson) Deffenbaugh and she died unexpectedly on November 27, 2010 at her home in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 69 years.
Dixie lived with her family in Witten, South Dakota until she was two years old. The family then moved to a farm north of Herrick, South Dakota. Two years later they moved to a farm on the Ponca south of Burke. She attended the Lutz School #38 through the eighth grade. She continued her education at Burke High School, graduating in May of 1959. Dixie was crowned Miss Burke that same year.
Dixie was united in marriage to Gayus Frey in 1960. To this union three daughters were born: Lori Lee, Shelli Rae and Dana Dee.
Dixie became a certified nurses aide and worked for Home Health Services as an aide and homemaker for three years in the Burke area. She then worked at Whispering Pines for ten years before retiring in 2009. One of her favorite things included caring for little children and the elderly, she was a very kind and patient caregiver to both young and old. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Another love of hers was her rock collection. She had just recently completed a collection of a rock from each of the 50 states, as well as from several other countries. Family and friends knew her passion for this and loved to share their rock finds with her.
Dixie was a member of the Union Baptist Church of Burke and was baptized in August of 2007 in the Missouri River.
Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Ruth; her brother Darrell Deffenbaugh; her daughter, Shelli Rae; her son-in-law, Lyle Vakiner and a nephew, Mark Deffenbaugh.
Dixie is survived by her daughters: Lori Vakiner of Gregory, SD; and Dana (Ken) Anderson of Valentine, NE; her grandchildren: Justin Vosika, Cody (Melissa) Vosika, both of Gregory, SD; McKenzie and Jayce Anderson of Valentine, NE; great-grandchildren: Courtney, Jordan, Ashlyn, and Brecken; her brothers: Douglas (Joyce) Deffenbaugh and Denny (Dona) Deffenbaugh; her sisters: Donna (Dick) James and Diane (Michael) Gunvordahl and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Dixie was a very special lady with a great sense of humor and brought a smile to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Union Baptist Church in Burke. Inurnment will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Burke.