Obituary of Dixie Gottfredson
Dixie was born May 29, 1934 in Orange, California, the 8th of 10 children born to Rea and Pansy Gardner. The entire family moved to Gridley 1935, after losing an orange grove to the bank, retained enough cash to buy 10 acres to restart a farming operation. Dixie was the second of three girls, all singers, and piano players. Dixie played drums in high school, and was the head varsity football cheerleader; excelled in the language arts, performed a lead in the senior play, and competed very well in all her math classes.
Most importantly, Dixie was a practical joker, like grandfather Sy, and was always fun to be around. Her style found dinner time the best time to pull outrageous stunts.
Early in school, art became a passion, so much so that Rea paid for professional lessons. Visualization of homemade clothing patterns were drawn, sewn and worn, even cheer leading outfits. Dixie attended BYU for two years, met her first husband, someone that was a better artist than herself, ending aspects of her art career, a decision she regretted. Working for Barbizon in Utah, an east coast fashion designer and manufacturer, Dixie learned to make professional clothing, later applied in designing clothes for Lake Tahoe casino performers.
A second husband found Dixie enjoying mining and running surveying equipment living in Nevada, Idaho and California.
As a divorcee, Dixie and sister Zoe, both ended up in Chico, shared lunch together for many years.
Dixie was a writer of family history, adding to story lines she heard growing up from Rea and Sy. Her writing included mining history, political, economic and religious histories, often merging topics with a twinkle in her eye, and humor on every page. Her home was filled with books, and drafts of an incomplete biography that included family members going back four, five and six generations, relating to the California gold rush and wide ranging events pertinent to our family and professional historians.
Zoe’s passing two months ago broke her heart, and may have speeded up the ravages of Uterine cancer that took her life on April 23.
Dixie is survived by daughter Kristine Hale (J. Steven), Boise, Idaho, nine grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, brothers Vere, of Gridley, Colin, of Bountiful, Utah, and Milo, Fair Oaks, and sister Faith, of North Highlands. Brothers Don, Hal, Jack, and Allen, and sister Zoe preceded Dixie in passing on to their heavenly rewards.
Remembrances of Dixie’s productive life can to be sent to the Butte County Historical society, 1749 Spencer Ave, Oroville, CA 95965.
Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel 530-846-2138.
