Dixie Lavonne Brinkman

Dixie grew up in Pierce and Greeley area until they moved to Denver around 1946. She was the oldest sibling of 3 brothers and 1 sister, Jim (deceased), Terry (deceased), Peggy (deceased) and Randy. In Fact, Dixie and Lois were pregnant at the same time and Randy was born 1 month before Dixie's first child, Gail in 1951. Dixie’s Elementary started in Pierce, CO and Jr. High and High School days were spent in Denver where she attended Baker Jr. High and West High School. One of her favorite memories was a teacher she had in Pierce ended up being a teacher in Baker Jr High and was good friends with her mom, Lois Hopkins. Dixie participated and enjoyed playing softball and being a member of the pep club in high school. She graduated in May 1950 and married her high school sweetheart, Bart Brinkman in July 1950. Upon graduation she started her marriage and a year later the family started growing Gail Louise, born May 1951, Donald Allen was born June 1953 and Gary Lee born December 1954.

Dixie was able to be a stay-at-home mom most of the time and held a few jobs as long-distance telephone operator back when they had switchboards, worked in the school cafeteria cooking and serving lunches to the students and never dreamed she would be serving lunch to her future daughters-in-laws. She also enjoyed sewing, and she spent time having ironing jobs working from home. She was a great cook, and our favorite recipe was her mayonnaise chocolate cake. As a family we went camping in the mountains as much as we could. We also made too many trips to remember back to Idaho to visit Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa on their farm and experienced, milking cows, bailing hay and riding horses and so much fun! The highlight of the trip was stopping at Little America because we knew we were halfway there. She was very active in the children’s sports and different clubs they belonged to and took trips to Yellowstone, Black Hills South Dakota experiencing Passion Play and many trips to the mountains for the day to support Dad’s butterfly collection hobby.

Dixie was blessed with 3 children (Gail, Don & Gary), 9 grandchildren (Karie, Chris, Sean, Joshua, Rachael, John Barton-deceased, Eric, Danny & Joseph-deceased) and 12 great grandchildren (Hayden, Lauren, Sophia, Trevor, Erin, Cole, Caise, Bay, Hailey, Acacia, Abigail, and Drew).

Dixie worked for many years at StorageTek where she retired and worked part time at Kohls for a short time during her retirement, and mom and dad were divorced after 33 years of marriage. She had a short venture moving to Idaho and starting a sewing business with her sister Peg. It didn’t work out and she returned to Denver where she lived in Arvada, Lakewood and spent her last days at her daughter Gail’s in Thornton, CO. Her greatest joy in her retirement years was spending time with family, being a Colorado Rockies and Bronco's fan, being a member of Spirit of Hope church, and sewing which she blessed many people with her crafts and talents.

Mom didn't desire a memorial. Gail, Don and Gary do want to encourage you to do your own celebration of life in her honor the way it means most to you. In addition to flowers, Dixie Brinkman asks for any donations to go to Dignity Hospice of Colorado, LLC

Because of the exceptional care and love they showed our mother for almost 4 years. We would be honored to have all donations sent to: Dignity Hospice of Colorado, LLC, 400 E. 84th Ave., W-202, Thornton, CO 80229 and in the memo section Dixie Brinkman can be written.