Dixie Rosemary Hutchison Kunz

89, born April 1, 1924 in Denver, CO at her family home at 26th and Lawrence Street, and died on February 21, 2014 just days short of her 90th Birthday. Dixie was a native Coloradoan and proud of that distinction. She grew up in Mountain View, Colorado, a small town just west of Denver, where her father was the Mayor. She attended Mountain View School, Wheat Ridge Junior High School and Wheat Ridge High School where she was a member of the pep club and a majorette graduating in 1942. She maintained her Wheat Ridge High School ties and friends throughout her life having lunch with classmates the last Saturday of every month without fail until her health made it too difficult to travel.

Shortly after her graduation from high school in 1943 she joined the Navy as a WAVE and served during World War II a one of the first women members of the Armed Forces until her discharge in 1946. She loved her country and was a proud patriot throughout her life. Dixie was very interested in dramatics in high school and won a drama scholarship to Denver University. Although World War II intervened and she was not able to attend DU she did continue her acting as a cast member for many Community Theater Productions.

Dixie believed in the Lord and at different times during her life she was a member of the Lakewood Presbyterian Church, serving as Treasurer of the Board and the President of the Board of Women Deacons and a member of the Lakewood Community Church.

She pursued her interest in bridge and reading with enthusiasm and passion. She traveled the world both on land and sea and on many cruises she was frequently hailed for having more days at sea than any other passenger. She was not unaccustomed to dining at the Captains Table.

Her family was her number one interest and her sons, Tom and Dana were her pride and joy. In May of 1971 she married Harold Kunz who was in her words “the very heart and soul of my life” and for the next 42 years she incorporated his four children into her family and into her heart.

Dixie is survived by her husband, Harold D. Kunz, her sons Tom (LaNae) Frew, Dana (Michele) Frew, her sister Claudia Miller, her grandsons J.D. (Tess) Frew and Jake Frew, her granddaughters Melissa (Kevin) Anderson and Kaylee Frew, her step-daughter Dianna Kunz and her step-sons Gary (Gigi) Kunz, Kirby (Patty) Kunz ad Dean (Stephanie) Kunz. All together she was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Dick and Nora Hutchinson and her brothers Claude and Glen Hutchinson.

In lieu of other condolences the family requests that you make a contribution to the Volunteers of America, 2660 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205. www.voacolorado.org or to the Alzheimer’s Association – Colorado Chapter, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203. www.alz.org or to the charity of your choice.

The family hopes that you will join them for lunch immediately following the service in the Reception Center to the West as you leave the service.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.