- Date Of Birth: May 28, 1941
- Date Of Death: March 3, 2013
- State: Illinois
Dixie L. Grinnell, 71, of Dakota, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Sunday March 3, 2013 whileon vacation with her husband, Robert, in Phoenix, Arizona.
She was born May 28, 1941 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Gordon and Lillian Dodd. She graduated from Aquin High School in 1958.Dixie worked in manufacturing during the early years of her marriage. As her family grew, she began operating a daycare in her home in order to stay home with her younger children. During this time, Dixie educated many boys as a Cub Scout Den Leader. When her youngest child went to school full-time, Dixie took on a full-time position at Medina Nursing Home in Durand. She loved taking care of people so much that she went on to achieve her dream of graduating from college and obtained her Nursing degree. She graduated from Highland Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 1981. Dixie then worked in the Freeport Memorial Hospital for one year and then took a position at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Freeport. After retirement in 2003 from St. Joseph’s, Dixie stayed on in a part time position she loved working with patients so much.
In 1989, Dixie and her husband began giving a yearly charitable donation of 60 twin size quilts to Salvation Army for needy children. The quilts were cut, sewn and quilted by her and her husband, Robert. She also gave many hours of her time to the Salvation Army Toy Drive, resulting in many needy children receiving toys for Christmas. Dixie was married to Robert Grinnell on May31, 1958 at St. Thomas Church in Freeport, Illinois.
Together they became loving parents to five children, Becky Kienzle (Jeff Leibold) of Dickeyville, WI, Jeff (Shelly) of Belleville, WI, Robert (Rebecca) of Freeport, Leon (Jennifer) of Pearl City, and Bruce (Brenda) of Freeport. Their family grew to 19 grandchildren,Dan(Heather),Ryan, Brittany, Zach(Alexis), Taylor, Randy(Kelli),Eric(Amanda), Austin, Logan(Jess), Alexis, Brandon, Scotti, Sammi, Emily, Cotey, Samantha, Hannah, Emily & Nate and their great-grandchildren Kaci, Chloe, Isabella & Oliver. Dixie loved her children but her and Robert’s grand-children and great-grandchildren are their pride and joy.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and her brothers, Charles (Mary) Bushey of Freeport, Thomas (Marie) Mesch of Gainesville, TX, Lavern Mesch & friend Jane of Sterling, Mike (Linda) Mesch of Bloomington, Daryl (Kathy) Mesch of Rockford, her sister Rosemary Bushland & special friend Paul of Adeline, and many nieces, nephews and aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Mesch, her father, Gordon Dodd, her stepfather, Lavern Mesch, her brother Calvin Mesch, her sister Billie Mesch.
