Dixie M Haley

Female 1917 - 2014  (97 years)


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  • Name Dixie M Haley 
    Born 08 Sep 1917  Duck Creek, Brown Co, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 23 Nov 2014  Mosinee, Marathon Co, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I233128  Little Chute Genealogy
    Last Modified 7 Dec 2014 

    Family Louis F Rank,   b. 11 Nov 1917,   d. 15 Jun 2010, Wausau, Marathon Co, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 92 years) 
    Married 1942 
    Children 
     1. William Rank
     2. Patrick H Rank
     3. Christine Rank
     4. Mary Rank
    Last Modified 21 Jul 2022 
    Family ID F91943  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
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    233128a.jpg

  • Notes 
    • Dixie M. Rank

      On November 23, 2014, Dixie M. Rank (97) passed away peacefully in her apartment in Mosinee, WI. Dixie and her husband, Louis F. Rank, were long-time residents of Brillion, WI.

      Dixie Marie Haley was born to Rose and Bert Haley on September 8, 1917, in Duck Creek, WI. Since her parents travelled extensively due to her father's career as a chef, Dixie spent a great deal of time with her grandmother Mary Burnette, who Dixie held in the highest esteem and heralded her as her maternal role model. Dixie graduated from West High School in Green Bay, WI in 1935 and then went on to graduate from the Green Bay School of Cosmetology. Dixie practiced as a beautician in Green Bay until marrying Louis F. Rank in 1942 and moving to Brillion where they operated a dairy farm.

      Together Louis and Dixie gave life to six children, raised five of them to adulthood and lost one baby daughter, Barbara Ann, at age two. They were active members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

      In addition to raising her children and caring for many extended family members, Dixie volunteered with the Brillion Red Cross Blood Bank for 39 years; serving as chairperson from 1971 to 1982. During that time, the blood drive productivity more than tripled. Dixie was also very involved with the Christian Mothers, 4-H, and Scouting activities. She was a faithful letter writer and never missed sending birthday cards to her friends and family members.

      Dixie was Wisconsin's first licensed female school bus driver. She drove a multitude of scouts, sports teams, church groups and students to a variety of events. She also assumed Louis' routine bus routes when he was busy with crop harvests.

      In 1971, when finding herself with just their youngest child, Mary, at home, Dixie was offered a job at O'Connor's Pharmacy. She accepted the job, seeing it as an opportunity to meet more people, learn something new, and help support the college educations of their two daughters.

      In 1976, Dixie and Louis proudly celebrated 100 years of Rank Generations on the family farm. Dixie also enjoyed gardening, growing orchids, making wool quilts, and cooking for her large family. She and Louis also enjoyed traveling, entertaining, competing in marathon bridge club, and spending time with their large family and many friends.

      In 1995, Dixie and Louis moved to Wausau to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Ken Hess. There, they joined St. Anne's Catholic Church and found a whole new group of friends and bridge partners.

      Dixie is survived by two sons and two daughters; William (Sharon) Rank of Brillion, WI; Patrick (Markie) Rank of Dana Point, CA; Chris (Ken) Hess of Wausau, WI; and Mary (John) Slade of St. Charles, IL. Dixie is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Karen Rank, Eric Rank, Nick Rank, Christopher Rank, Barbara Rank, Peter Rank, William Hess, Elizabeth Hess McCadie, Andrew Slade and Christine Slade; 19 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Louis F. Rank in 2010; son Raymond Joseph in 1992 and daughter Barbara Ann in 1948.

      The family would like to thank the staff at Acorn Hill Senior Living Community for their loving care of Dixie during these last 2 years.

      A memorial Catholic Mass and burial service will be scheduled as well as a celebration of life gathering after the service to honor the faithful, joyous and incredibly full 97 years lived by Dixie Rank. A subsequent notice will be published to notify friends of the timing of the memorial Catholic service and celebration.

      Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.jjbfh.com