Dixie A. Kling

Dixie Ann Kling beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (Mimi) was called home to be with her heavenly father on October 31st, 2024. She was born on July 8th, 1940 to Earl and Hazel Leach of Colville, Washington. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Donna Moser. Those who knew Dixie will always remember her for her devotion to her family, strong work ethic, and her kind and generous spirit.

In 1958, she met and soon married David August Kling, making her a military wife. They lived in several different locations including Wiesbaden, Germany before settling in San Antonio, Texas in 1970. Along the way Dixie made many lifelong friends. David and Dixie were blessed with 3 children, Debra, Diane, and David. Dixie was a strong supporter of her children's education and extracurricular activities. She was an active member of the PTA, as well as the athletic and band booster clubs. Dixie worked close to home while her children were young. She was a school crossing guard and later worked as a school cafeteria manager at Five Palms Elementary. She retired after more than 15 years of service. Dixie had a true "green thumb" - gardening and working in her yard was her passion. Regardless of how much pain or limitations that were placed on her Dixie always found a way to tend to her yard and flowers. Her yard was the gem of the neighborhood. Dixie would do anything for her several beloved pets which included cats, dogs, and fish - her Koi fish (currently residing at the Rainbow Nursery) had a heater (winter) and ice jugs (summer) in the pond to make sure they were comfortable. She showed unconditional love for her pets. Growing up on a farm, Dixie always loved fresh produce. Whether it was strawberry, peach, or cantaloupe season she would travel to fruit stands in neighboring small towns to pick up produce for her family and numerous friends. She was well known at her favorite fruit stands. Dixie found great joy in spending time with her family. She showered them with love through her amazing cooking and deep holiday traditions. She made the holidays extra special for her family with freshly baked breads and pies, delicious food and an amazing Christmas tree adorned with a lifelong collection of Christmas ornaments. Each ornament told a story. Every year her family and friends looked forward to seeing her Christmas village display. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always mesmerized, seeing the expressions on their little faces is what brought joy to Dixie. Many of these traditions and recipes have now been passed on to her children and grandchildren to share with their families. Dixie played catcher on a softball team in her younger years and loved sports. She was a dedicated Spurs and Cowboys fan. Dixie made every effort to attend her grandchildren and great grandchildren's games, dance recitals, and other activities they were involved in. You could always count on Dixie to show up with freshly baked snickerdoodle cookies, banana bread or cinnamon rolls with a beautiful smile on her face and ready to cheer them on. Dixie will be deeply missed by all who loved her, but we are comforted in knowing that she has been accepted into God's Kingdom of Heaven and her health has been restored. We imagine her tending to the gardens in Heaven, chatting with old friends and baking her famous pies and cinnamon bread. When it rains at your house please think of it as a gift from Dixie - she always loved it when it rained on her yard and garden and would check with friends to see if it was raining at their house.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Debra Espinosa, Diane Kling, David Allen Kling (Velma) and their father David August Kling, five grandchildren, Christina Marie Niles, Andrew Lee Espinosa, David Ryan Kling (Audra), Mallory Rose Diaz, Austin Travis Kling (Ellysa), and ten great grandchildren, Jordan August Villarreal, Jillian Dixie Niles, Emma Leigh Diaz, Penny Lane Diaz, Kylie Brooke Kling, Hazel Lily Diaz, Makayla Rose Kling, Jackson Barrett Kling, Madison Harper Kling, and Grayson Sophia Kling. Dixie is also survived by her brother, Larry Leach (Rhonda), her nieces and nephews and numerous close friends as well as her church family at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

Visitation for Dixie will be held Sunday, November 10th, 2024, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, as Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218.

A funeral service will occur Monday, November 11th, 2024 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, 78218. A committal service will occur Monday, November 11th, 2024, from 3:00pm to 3:30pm at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218. Reception to follow from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218.

Honorary Pallbearers will be David Allen Kling, David Ryan Kling, Austin Travis Kling, Andrew Lee Espinosa, Jordan August Villarreal and Eric Vivero.