Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Dixie Horn Bjornestad went home to be with God on September 3, 2018 after an extensive battle with Alzheimer's/dementia. Dixie was surrounded by her loving family at her passing. Her life will be celebrated and remembered on September 8th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Worland with graveside services to follow at the Ten Sleep Cemetery.

Dixie arrived on this world at Chadron, Nebraska on July 19, 1939. Dixie was the long awaited and prayed for child of Theodore William Horn and Frances Mae Courtney Horn. Dixie was the light and center of her parent's world. No child could have been loved more. As Dixie's father was a teacher of math and science, and who ultimately became a Superintendent of Schools, the family lived in many different towns. However, most of Dixie's childhood was spent at Hillsdale, Wyoming where she grew up and went to school. Dixie's family vacationed across the United States during the summer and Dixie fondly remembered visiting many unique sites such as the Puebloan people's ancestral ruins at Pueblo Bonita, New Mexico and she loved visiting San Diego, California. Dixie's most treasured memories were visiting her Grandma and Grandpa Courtney along with all her cousins at her grandparent's home in Chadron, Nebraska.

Dixie's family moved to Ten Sleep, Wyoming when Dixie was fifteen and this is where Dixie met her future husband and love of her life, Arthur (Bill) Bjornestad. Bill and Dixie were married on September 28, 1956. They lived very happily a few miles below Ten Sleep, Wyoming where Dixie learned how to be a ranch wife. Then, a few years later, Bill and Dixie moved to the house where they raised their family and where Bill still lives on the lower Nowood ranch. Soon Bill and Dixie's life expanded as their children Lisa, Wendi and Rick arrived. Dixie then began her life as a Mom. She worked tirelessly for her children in a time when modern day conveniences were not always available, but Dixie kept her children and house neat and tidy. Dixie cared and worried about each of her children and her husband. She was the perfect wife and mother.

Dixie enjoyed cooking and her family still talks with wistful memories about her cooking. She made the best breads, cinnamon rolls, pie and cookies, as well as wonderful meals. Dixie made her world beautiful. Dixie enjoyed painting and her family will treasure her works as she was very talented. She had a large rose garden that made the entire yard look and smell wonderful. Dixie was a master gardener and could grow anything. She was a caretaker and raised hundreds of bum lambs and calves. She loved her little herd of sheep, the baby lambs and the baby calves on the ranch. Dixie was an integral part of making sure the ranch succeeded. Her bookkeeping was meticulous and she was Bill's partner in making every decision.

Dixie's greatest joy in her later part of life were her grandson's. Jarred, Jacob, Eric and Chase made her very happy and she treasured every minute that she spent with her boys.

Dixie enjoyed playing bridge with the local Hyattville ladies and played pinochle with the neighbors and family at every opportunity. If there was a card game, Dixie was there. She enjoyed walking for miles on the family's mountain land and appreciated finding artifacts as her interest in the daily life of ancient people was extensive. Dixie was a member of the United Methodist Church, Eastern Star and was the treasurer of the Hyattville Cemetery District for many years.

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents Theodore William Horn, and Frances Mae Courtney Horn, her aunts, Polly Sigwardt, Jenny Johnson and Sara Lauree Billingsly, her brothers-in-law, Raymond, Orval and Bernie Bjornestad and sister-in-law Patricia Burke Bjornestad.

Dixie is survived by her husband Arthur (Bill) Bjornestad, her children Lisa (Keith) Bower, Wendi (Mark) Michel and her son Rick Bjornestad. Her grandsons Jarred (Jessie) Bower, Jacob (Samantha) Keller, Eric Bower and Chase Keller, and her cousins, nephews and niece. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Anyston Keller, Keaton Keller and Braxton Keller and Kimber Bower.

The family asks that if you wish to leave a memorial in Dixie's memory, please consider giving to Alzheimer's research in her name as this disease steals the life and memories of not only the person who has it, but slowly and painfully steals the loved one from the family. These donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association c/o Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.