Dixie Lee Ingalls, 73, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away on April 7, 2023 of natural causes.
Dixie (AKA; Bubbles) was born on December 21, 1949 to Marcella and Roy Anderson in Webster, South Dakota. The fourth child born of 15 kids, she was fiercely independent and a bit of a tom-boy. As she told it, she always had her 'nose in a book' and was 'painfully shy.' However, her bright spirit was noticed and to her horror, she was nominated and appointed to the high school cheerleading squad.
Dixie and her siblings grew up on a farm, where they had lots of room to get into trouble. They didn't have much, so they counted on each other to make their own fun; sometimes teasing the bulls, using pitchforks for horses, making mud pies, and building bike ramps out of whatever they could find lying around. And she had the scars to prove it.
Dixie married Steven Ingalls, her first love straight out of high school and immediately started a family of four. Steve's cowlick made her laugh when it bounced as he walked, and her beauty made it impossible for him to stop pulling her hair in class to get her attention. They were happily married for 27 years. It didn't last forever, yet their love was something Dixie would speak fondly of until her passing. It was true and beautiful.
Dixie started College when their children were in high school. Not yet 40, and the former stay-at-home mom was just finding herself. After getting her bachelor's from Black Hills State she became a full-time substitute teacher for the many schools in Campbell County, Wyoming. She adored meeting and teaching all the different students throughout the years until her retirement. It was her passion to teach children and be a silly goose with them at the same time. She didn't take herself too seriously, and the kids seemed to respond to that.
Although she knew how to relax (baths were her jam) she was interested in so many hobbies that kept her on the go. If she wasn't playing guitar, she was teaching a child how to play, either in her home or at Haggertys. She also dabbled in painting/drawing, writing (music/stories), even singing with the Sweet Adelines organization for a short time, and toured Europe with the BHSU Choir. An avid runner for years, she picked up roller blading after an injury and was happy to have found a way to stay active. Dixie was even featured roller blading in the News Record in the 90's (giant picture, kind of a big deal). She was fearless, loyal, unforgettable, and she had the biggest heart.
Dixie was preceded in death by her mother Marcella Anderson, father Roy Anderson, and two brothers Darrell and Richard Anderson. She is survived by her son Tony Ingalls, daughter-in-law Juliane Ingalls, grandchildren Ronya and Daylon Shackelford, daughter Tina Dean, son-in-law Chad Dean, grandchild Chevy, brother Dennis Anderson, sister Sharon Schmahl, sister Linda Mino, Sister Bondell Boadwine, Brother Gary Anderson, sister Marcine Anderson, Sister Diane Anderson, brother Kevin Anderson, brother Keith Anderson, brother Lynn Anderson, sister Janelle Anderson, sister Dorene Foster Anderson, partner in crime Marvin Scoggin, and countless, endless, copious amounts of cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law's, brother-in-law's across the US that she loved unconditionally.
Services will be held in South Dakota, date yet to be determined.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper. To leave the family a special message, please select the "Share Memories" option.