Dixie Anna (Norris) Wharton

Obit Dixie A. Wharton-85

Kroll Funeral Home-Deshler

402-365-4441

Dixie Anna (Norris) Wharton was born October 8, 1933 at Burr Oak, KS, to Albert Addley and Athel Irene (Selvage) Norris. She departed this life Monday July 29, 2019 at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler, NE at the age of 85 years.

  She was the oldest of 5 children and attended grade school years in Burr Oak, Otego, and rural Mankato, KS.  In 1943, she moved with her family to Superior, NE attended school there and in Sutton, Fairfield, NE where she graduated from 8th grade. In 1947 the family moved to Cashmere, WA, where she graduated from high school with the Class of 1951.

  Dixie was baptized in the Wenatchee River (Wenatchee, Washington) in May 1950 by Lyle Rankin with the Church of God, Faith of Abraham of Cashmere, WA where she still remains a member.  Dixie also participated in Girls Scouts (Sutton, NE) and 4-H (Fairfield, NE).

  Dixie Anna Norris and Raymond LeRoy Wharton were united in marriage on August 15, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Montrose, KS.

  They made their first home on a farm in Mankato, KS.  During this time their first children, Paul LeRoy and Pamela Lynette joined the family.  In 1958 they moved southeast of Concordia, KS.  In February 1961 they moved to Aurora, KS where they took over management of the telephone company. May 1961 they were blessed with their third child Phillip Leon.  January 1963, Raymond transferred to Red Cloud, NE with the telephone company.  Patrick Lynn completed their family in November 1963.

  Dixie worked with Girl Scouts, Cub/Boy Scouts, at Webster County Hospital, Sprague Nursing Home, Ben Franklin Store and managed the café at the sale barn in Red Cloud. Worked at Inavale Care Home in Inavale, NE.   Dixie has been a member of the VFW Auxiliary 5641 of Red Cloud, NE since 1964 and became a life member in 1991, with serving in various local and district offices.

  In July 1979 Ray, Dixie, Phillip and Patrick moved to Deshler, NE, where Ray transferred to the telephone company.  Dixie cooked at Peace Lutheran School, local café and Senior Center.  In addition did in-home care for the elderly.  From 1987 to 1989 she and Ray owned the Carol Lee Donut Shop in Deshler, NE.

  She was a member of the Deshler Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Broomfest Committee, Chairman of the City Wide Garage Sales, and various other functions, member of the Parkview Haven Nursing Home Board since 1991 and served in different offices and the American Legion Auxiliary.  In addition she assisted with Boy Scout Troop 307. 

  Dixie was preceded in death by her parents Albert & Irene Norris, a sister Donnis Norris, a brother Ralph Norris, a sister-in-law Jan Norris, and great-grandson Gabriel Brooks.

She is survived by her loving husband Raymond Wharton whom she would have celebrated 65 years of marriage next month, Deshler, NE.  Children Paul (Nila) Wharton of Russell, KS, Pamela Nelssen of Manhattan, KS, Phillip (Tracy) Wharton of Lincoln, NE and Patrick (Jody) Wharton of Deshler, NE. Brother: Ken Norris of Sacramento, CA, sister: Sharon Parnell of Troup, TX, and sister-in-law Susan Norris of Sacramento, CA.  Grandchildren, Cecil (Lindsay) Brooks III, Kassandra Brooks, Derrek (Sarah) Williams, and Kenneith Kennedy of Russell, KS; Travis (Sheena) Nelssen of Aubrey, TX, Tyler (Jordan Morris) Nelssen and Alicia (Justin) Lidgard of Manhattan, KS; Ava and Kyla Wharton of Lincoln, NE;  Kelsey (Jack) Herring  and Zachary (Taylor) Wharton of Fairbury, NE.  Great Grandchildren Cecil IV, Lane, Emersyn, Jacksyn Gavin, Holden, Abel, McKenzie, Easton, Kalynn, Carson, Chase, Roman, Owen, Rylie, Layton, Parker, Riley, and one on the way.

  Memorial services will be August 2, 2019 at 2:00 PM at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler, NE. Officiant is Rev. James Moll. Organist Joyce Schmidt with congregational hymns “Amazing Grace” and “In The Garden”. No visitation/cremation. Honorary pallbearers:  Dixie and Ray’s Grandchildren. Burial Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, KS. Memorials in care of family. Condolences may be left at www.krollfh.com. Kroll Funeral Home of Deshler is in charge of arrangements.

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