Dixie Lee King

Dixie Lee King, currently of Dandridge, TN, passed away on June 8th, 2025 surrounded by her children and husband. Dixie was born on April 4th (5th), 1937 in Miami, Florida to Laura Blowers (Goranson). She was raised by her parents, Laura, and “Dick” Goranson, initially in northern Minnesota, but later, the family moved to Milwaukee, WI where she graduated summa cum laude from South Division High School. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Spencerian College, finishing 3rd in her class.

After an introduction by a mutual friend and courtship of one year, Dixie married David A King on August 12, 1961, and the two began life together and started their family in New Berlin, WI. The two have been blessed with 64 years of shared faith and commitment to their marriage. The couple and their three children moved to Indiana where Dixie started her real estate career, soon opening her own firm, King Realty, and she became a licensed appraiser, as well. Dixie and Dave moved back to Wisconsin for their retirement years.

Having a strong desire to see God’s creation, Dixie made it a priority to travel near and far. She was in every state in the US, visited most every country, and saw all 7 continents throughout her lifetime, by planes, trains, ships, and automobiles. What an incredible achievement!

Unapologetically steadfast in her views, yet warm and welcoming, Dixie valued honest conversations with family and friends, usually over a game of cards or Dominos. We all enjoyed her mischievous laugh, especially when she was winning. She loved living on the lake, seeing the spectacular sunsets over the water, and doing crossword puzzles on her beach chair. She made it a personal challenge to swim across each lake they owned a home on. Dixie was never shy to voice her opinion. She was funny, fiercely independent, and a little bit stubborn. She shared her Christian faith with everyone she met and knew she would eventually join her Savior in Heaven. The day before her passing, Dixie shared that the most important thing she ever did in life was giving her life to Christ, in early grade school, at a neighborhood church.

In recent years, Dixie focused time on writing, which includes many excerpts from her unique life experiences and the wisdom gained through it all. She was also very fond of watching crime and court shows on TV, often simultaneously assembling complex jigsaw puzzles. A favorite quote, displayed on her refrigerator reads “Eat dessert first. After all, life is uncertain.” Dixie kept a stash of “the good chocolate” in her bedroom. Her morning card games with David were a must. The two moved to Tennessee for new adventures (and a warmer climate) in 2024.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Laura and Dick, and her sister, Betty.

Dixie is survived by her husband, David King, and her three children, Kevin King, Christopher King, and Gina King-Jaeger. She is further survived by three grandchildren, Paige King-Crawford, Hunter King, and Hailey King, as well as her precious great-granddaughter, Farrah. Her sister, Deloris, and several cousins, also survive.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held at Dixie and David's home on June 28th, 2025, and will include a Viking send off, as she always felt would be most suited to her personality. We concur.

Family and friends may sign the online register book and post condolences at  www.resthavenmemorial@yahoo.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Services provided by Resthaven Funeral Home|Cemetery|Cremations.

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