Dixie Lynn Lester

Dixie Lester, age 69, of Cherokee, Iowa, formerly of Rembrandt, Iowa died May 20, 2024 at Careage Hills in Cherokee, Iowa. 

Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer, Iowa. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. To watch a livestream of the funeral service provided by the church, use the following link: https://www.spencersacredheart.com/funerals. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements. 

Dixie Lynn Pitts was born February 21, 1955 to William and Dorothy (Smith) Pitts in Cherokee, Iowa. She was baptized into her catholic faith. From kindergarten until 7th grade, Dixie attended Pocahontas Catholic School. She was also a member of the Girl Scouts. In 1968, Dixie moved to Rembrandt, Iowa. She graduated from Rembrandt School in 1973. She went on to attend Iowa State University for one year, studying Home Economics.

On June 14, 1974, Dixie was united in marriage to Darrell Lester at St. Joseph Church in Sioux Rapids. They were blessed with four children: Karla, Elizabeth, Stacy, and Joshua.

Dixie loved using her creativity to do crafts, sewing, and coloring. She enjoyed cooking and reading books. Dixie worked for Sioux Central school for thirty-four years. She also worked many odd jobs including Rembrandt Leather and waitressing at several local restaurants. Dixie served on the Library Board and worked as a precinct election official. More than anything, Dixie treasured time with her family. She followed her three granddaughters in all their cattle and school activities. She loved to read books to her grandson William. Dixie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish the memory of Dixie include her husband, Darrell Lester of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; daughters: Karla (Brian) Ahrendsen of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Stacy (Kenneth) Knaack of Correctionville, Iowa; grandchildren: Megan, Emma, and Grace Ahrendsen and William Knaack; siblings: Pat Rench of Milbank, South Dakota; Melvin (Marian) Pitts of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Mark (Nancy) Pitts of Hamburg, Iowa; William (Suzy) Pitts of Astoria, Oregon; Kenneth Pitts (Tara Drees) of Rembrandt, Iowa; Scott (Shannon) Pitts of Bentonville, Arkansas; siblings-in-law: Ed (Jan) Dowdy of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Linda Hanson of Ocheyedan, Iowa; Glen Dowdy of Spencer, Iowa; Mary Dowdy of Aurelia, Iowa; Carmen Dowdy of Cherokee, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her children: Elizabeth Lester and Joshua Lester; parents: William and Dorothy Pitts; father-in-law Gene Dowdy; mother-in-law Sue Dowdy; brothers-in-law; Dan Rench; Howard Dowdy and Carl Dowdy. 

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