Dixie Schmitter

DIXIE JUNE SCHMITTER

Fairfield

Dixie June Schmitter, 82,

of Fairfield, formerly of Libertyville, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at the Jefferson County Health Care Center. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Larry Shipley officiating. Burial will be in Batavia Cemetery immediately following the service. All are invited to the Batavia Community Center for a time of lunch and fellowship following the graveside service. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, Oct. 31, at the funeral home with the family present to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions in Dixie's honor may be directed to the Fairfield Senior Center. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Dixie June Schmitter was born at home in Libertyville, Iowa, on June 14, 1937, to Floyd and Dorothy Laughlin Swartz. She was a 1956 graduate of Batavia High School and shortly after married the love of her life, Fred Schmitter Jr. The two became loving parents to five children, Douglas, Rebecca, Mark, Robert and Kristi. Dixie managed to raise her family while pursuing her love of nursing at Indian Hills Community College, where she graduated with her LPN. She began working at Nelson Nursing Home in Fairfield and eventually the Parkview Care Center. She had more than 25 years with Parkview during which time she became a registered nurse and eventually the director of nursing. She cared deeply for the residents and they in turn loved her. She spent a short time as the supervisor at Good Samaritan in Keosauqua before officially retiring.

During her life, she not only poured her heart in to her nursing career but also in to being a loving mother and farm wife. She was always willing to help Fred on the farm and still made sure to find time for cooking supper and managing the house. When she took time for herself, she would find a quiet place to read or quilt. She enjoyed the outdoors and finding a good fishing spot. Dixie often traveled to listen to Fred and his band play at different events. She was always active in a church and found comfort in her Bible. As the years passed and her family grew, she took on the role of proud grandmother. Her life revolved around the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and she was very proud of the legacy she leaves behind.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred Schmitter Jr. (2009); one son, Mark Schmitter (2016); two brothers, Dayle Swartz and Vernon Swartz; as well as an infant sister.

Left to share her story are her loving children, Douglas (Madge) Schmitter of Libertyville, Rebecca (William) Giberson of Packwood, Robert (Kelly) Schmitter of Milton and Kristi Schmitter of Page, Ariz.; as well as 22 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.