Dixie Vogt

     Dixie Vogt, age 87 of Rock Rapids passed away on Saturday morning, November 23, 2024 at the Friendly Horizons Memory Care in Sioux Center, IA.

     Following a private burial, there will be a public visitation in Dixie’s honor from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

     Dixie Ann Dirks was born on November 10, 1937 in George, IA. She was the fifth of six children born from the marriage of Dick Dirks and Tena Aeilts, both of whom had emigrated to the United States from Germany. Her older siblings included brothers Ben and Donald, and sisters Mildred and Amy. As a child, Dixie was especially close to her younger brother, Terry, who was born less than one year after her on November 5, 1938. Dixie described her parents as loving, hardworking, and always kind to each other. She held many fond memories of growing up in George with hersiblings, and noted that Church was an important part of their lives. Dixie attended George Senior High School until 1952, when she set out on her own after meeting the love of her life, Bill.

     Dixie was introduced to William H. “Bill” Vogt by mutual friends at a party in George. At the time, Bill was serving in the U.S. Army and had just returned from a classified deployment with the 369TH Combat Engineers. Years later, Dixie would learn that Bill had been intimately involved with atmospheric nuclear weapons testing at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada. Dixie and Bill fell quickly in love and were soon inseparable. The young couple set a date to be married when Bill received orders for a second deployment, this time to Korea with the 10TH Infantry Division. The Vogts exchanged vows on February 14, 1953, and Bill left for Korea three days later. The couple would go on to raise two boys, build a successful business, and share 58 wonderful years together. Dixie often described her marriage to Bill as the best decision of her life, and she would admit without hesitation that losing Bill to cancer in 2011 was her life’s biggest challenge.

     Dixie went to live with Bill’s parents on the Vogt farm outside of Rushmore, MN while he was deployed overseas. Dixie grew especially close to Bill’s family during her year on the farm, resulting in strong bonds with Bill’s five younger siblings that she would cherish for the next 70 years. Bill returned from Korea in March of 1954, and the reunited couple first lived in Brewster, MN for a short time before moving to Worthington, MN. While there, they welcomed their first son, Jim, in August 1955. The growing family would next relocate to George, IA, where they were joined by their second son, Mike, in January 1958. In 1960, the complete Vogt family made their final move and put roots down in Rock Rapids, IA. Dixie was a homemaker for several years while Bill learned his trade in the plumbing and heating industry. She was able to complete her Certificate of High School Equivalency during this time, while also completing correspondence courses in bookkeeping. The couple purchased Rasmussen Tin Shop, a plumbing and heating business in Rock Rapids, on April 1, 1968. They soon changed the name to Vogt Plumbing & Heating, and both sons would eventually join them in the family business. Dixie worked as the bookkeeper there for thirty-five years, retiring in 2003. She was very proud of her husband and sons, and of the reputation they built and maintained throughout their 44 years in business. In addition to being an engaged businesswoman in the community, Dixie loved to golf and was a member of the Rock River Country Club for decades. She was also an exceptional bowler and was a staple at the Monday afternoon Coffee League, well into her seventies. Dixie enjoyed watching both of her sons, and later her grandchildren, compete in sporting events and other activities at Central Lyon. Dixie was very proud of her husband’s military service, and that of all three of her brothers, and she was a member of the VFW Auxiliary for as long as she lived in Rock Rapids. She was also a member of Christian Church Disciples in Rock Rapids for many years. Dixie loved to travel, and she and Bill took several noteworthy trips together in their empty-nest years. These included several HVAC trade shows in Las Vegas, fishing trips in Minnesota, and trips to visit friends and family in California, Hawaii, and even Germany. Christmas was Dixie’s favorite time of year, and she will be fondly remembered for her festive sweaters and for spoiling her grandkids with generous gifts. Her quick wit and sense of humor will be dearly missed at family gatherings. The second great challenge of Dixie’s life was the unexpected loss of her son, Jim, in 2014. However, she did her best to remain positive and she took her losses in stride, continuing to be an unwavering fixture for her remaining family. She was honored to accept the Atomic Veterans Service Medal on behalf of her husband, which was posthumously awarded to Bill in 2022. She was also thankful to have witnessed the weddings of two of her grandchildren, to have met the fiancé of one more, and to have been both a grandma and great-grandma. Dixie was especially grateful to have maintained her independence while she remained at home, until moving to a care facility in May of 2024.

     Dixie passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, November 23, 2024. Remaining to cherish her memory are her son, Mike (wife Nancy) Vogt of Rock Rapids; her grandchildren, Mitch (wife Ashley) Vogt of Sioux Falls, SD, Karmen (husband Jamie) Piggott of Waukon, IA, and Kristina Vogt (fiancé Cody Nielson) of Sioux Falls, SD; her great-grandchildren, JJ & Kam Piggott; her siblings-in-law; and her many nieces and nephews.

     Preceding Dixie in death are her husband, Bill Vogt; their son, Jim Vogt; her parents, Dick & Tena Dirks; all five of her siblings; her parents in-law, George & Anna Vogt; several siblings-in-law; several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Blessed be the memory of Dixie Ann Vogt.