Dixie Lee (Wessel) Raatz

Obit Dixie Lee Raatz-84 of Lincoln, NE formerly of Chester, NE

Kroll Funeral Home Hebron, NE 402-768-6165

Dixie Lee Raatz of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Chester, Nebraska departed this life on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at the age of 84. Dixie Lee Wessel was born on July 11, 1935, to James and Florence (DeWald) Wessel, on a farm in Republic County Kansas. Dixie had one sister, Rozann. Dixie loved life on the farm and her many pets.

She graduated from Chester High School, with the class of 1953, where she received her Normal Training Certificate. She started teaching in a one room schoolhouse outside of Byron, Nebraska, while attending Peru State College. Dixie continued taking education classes, until she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Peru State College, in 1977.

Dixie was a teacher in Byron, Nebraska area, for 47 years, primarily in 3rd and 4th grade. Dixie’s students and their families were very important to her and they became life-long friends. Dixie retired from teaching in May 2000.

Dixie met the love of her life, Martin Raatz, when she was 15 years old. Mart and Dixie were married at the Fairbury Lutheran Church on March 30, 1957. Dixie and Mart’s marriage was blessed with two sons, Lonnie and Russell.

Dixie and Mart loved going to antique sales and to collect antiques. They even opened an antique store in Chester, Nebraska, called Raatz Antiques. They also loved to travel and do antique shows, where they met many friends. Dixie also had a passion for sewing and crafts, which she passed down to her granddaughters. Although Dixie had a variety of interests, what she loved the most, was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, telling stories of when she grew up and teaching them to sew, cook & drive.

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband Martin and son Lonnie.

She is survived by her son Russ and wife, Michele of Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter-in-law, Brenda Raatz of Aurora, Illinois, sister Rozann Campbell and husband Jim of Vancouver, Washington, grandchildren, Derek Raatz of Oak Park, Illinois, Ashley Cole and husband Brett of Sycamore, Illinois, Nicole Lickei and Matt of Olathe, Kansas and Connor Raatz of Lincoln, Nebraska, great-grandchildren, Camila Raatz, Martin Raatz, Grant Cole and Ryker Cole.

Graveside services will be held Saturday February 1, 2020 at the Chester Cemetery at 11AM. Officiant will be Pastor Robert Hopkins, book signing will be 2-6 PM Friday January 31, 2020 at Kroll Funeral Home in Hebron. Condolences may be left at ​www.krollfh.com​. Honorary Casket Bearers are grandchildren. Recorded music “Amazing Grace” by Ron Vieselmeyer. Memorials in care of the family, Rus Raatz 6501 Blackstone Rd. Lincoln, NE 68526. Kroll Funeral Home of Hebron, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.

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