Dixie Lee Kennedy, 72, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2016, at Colonial Manor in Elma, Iowa, where she has made her home since 2012.

Dixie Kennedy was born on the family farm near Dexter, in Mower County, Minnesota, on Sept. 4, 1943. She was baptized into the United Methodist Church of Dexter, Minnesota, in a private home service on Sept. 1, 1948. Dixie was the second child of seven born to Floyd “Bud” Allen and Edith May (Hamilton) Kennedy. She enjoyed music, art, sewing, bird watching, gardening and the companionship of animals. As a child she was proud to be a 4-H member, receiving many awards for her projects. As a young woman she was elected homecoming queen by her friends and classmates — an honor she never forgot. Later, she was actively involved in the Big Sister program in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dixie’s formal schooling began in a small country school house in rural Dexter, just a short jaunt from the family farm. When the country school closed she and her brothers transferred to the Grand Meadow school system from which she graduated in 1961. After high school she attended Rochester Junior College, in Rochester, Minnesota. She worked as a secretary to a number of professionals in Rochester before moving to the Twin Cities to work as an administrative assistant. Dixie returned to the Rochester area in the early 1970s to open a dress shop.

She was a caring person with a big heart.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Floyd Kennedy.

She is survived by Eugene (Mary) Kennedy, Red Wing, Minnesota, Duane (Tracy) Kennedy, Rochester, Minnesota, Diane (Randy) Tigner Austin, Minnesota, Victoria Watson, Le Sueur, Minnesota, James (Jacki) Kennedy Austin, Minnesota, and Russel (Marykay) Kennedy, Faribault, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

She will be commemorated during a gathering of immediate family members. Online condolences for Dixie’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com.

The family would like to extend special appreciation to the Colonial Manor for their wonderful care and support.