Dixie Himmelberger

Dixie Belle Stevenson Himmelberger, 87, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005.

She was born Jan. 29, 1918, at Parma, Mo., daughter of Vester B. and Ola Jones Stevenson.

Dixie graduated from Parma High School and attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College. She planned to be a teacher, but met Cape Girardeau businessman J.E. "Jack" Himmelberger and married him Aug. 3, 1941, in Cape Girardeau.

Dixie was a member of Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary, Southeast Missouri Hospital Association, Chapter FY of P.E.O. and a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church.

Her favorite pastime, however, was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She often said that she wanted to be remembered for how much she loved her family.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna Gerard Pikey and Robert Pikey of Cape Girardeau, and Pamela and Larry Moulin of Battle Creek, Mich. She has four grandchildren, Stacy Gerard Miller of Salt Lake City, Utah, Blake Gerard of Cape Girardeau, Stephanie Murphy of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Michael Moon of Tampa, Fla. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two brothers, Jesse R. Stevenson and Vester B. Stevenson Jr.

Friends may call Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Kabo Jr. officiating. Entombment will be in Lorimier Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation or First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau.