Dixie Lee Nelson, 69

Dixie Lee Nelson, 69, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully on Nov. 11, 2024, in the comfort of her own home.  Born Feb. 19, 1955, in Fort Morgan, CO, to Norma Gale McAfee (later Tasha Norma Berentz) and the late Alvin Eugene Griffitts, Dixie lived a life defined by spirituality, creativity, and perseverance.  

Dixie grew up on a small farm near Valley Falls, KS, where she learned hard work, discipline, and dedication along with her older brother James and her younger siblings Wesley and Lori, until she relocated to Montana to find her true love. 

Randy Nelson and Dixie first met at a jam session at The Hind Quarter, a night club formerly located in Kalispell. Dixie had a talent for vocals, keyboard, and guitar playing.  Eventually, they would travel with the family country rock band, Windrift, until they were expecting their first child, Eric Randy.  Soon to follow, they would have a second son, Adam Dwayne, and a little over a decade later Hannah Ann and Emily Gayle would join to make the family complete.  Dixie would put her musical talents back to work as she joined the worship team for their local church.  Her strong vocal background and deep spirituality allowed her to lead the worship at her church with ease. 

The family resided in Columbia Falls and owned/operated Harvest Health & Hope Shoppe, once located on Nucleus Avenue.  When that chapter was complete, Dixie started Randix Office Express, which was later changed to Trustead Accounting and Tax Service.  Randy and Dixie walked hand in hand for 50 remarkable years.  Through life’s various paths, their bond was a testament to true partnership and lasting love.  Together, they built not only a beautiful life, but also a family which became Dixie’s proudest achievement. 

As a mother, Dixie’s pride lay in her children and her grandbabies.  Dixie instilled in them a spirit of independence, while nurturing in them a stubborn strength, traits they will carry forward in her memory.  Her presence and love for her children was unwavering and will remain a part of each and every one of them, woven into their lives and memories forever.

Dixie had a gift for creativity and enjoyed sewing, quilting, and jewelry making, each craft demonstrating her attention to detail, perfectionism, and quality.  Springtime was her favorite season, as she could finally get outside after the long Montana winters.  She welcomed the fresh air and the smell of the lilacs blooming, while she diligently worked in the dirt.  Her ability to create the most magical flower gardens could not be surpassed, due to the love she poured into each living plant.  Her gardens gave her peace and acted as her spiritual church in many ways.   

Dixie will be remembered for her strong spirit, endless work ethic, and the love she shared for others.  Her legacy of love will persevere within the lives of her family and anyone who had the pleasure to know her.  

Dixie is survived by her husband Randy; her mother Tasha Berentz; her mother-in-law Shirley Nelson; her children Eric R. Nelson (Kate), Adam D. Nelson (Amanda), Hannah A. Nelson (Tracy), and Emily G. Nelson (Duane); her grandchildren Gabe, Samantha (Will), Alyssa, Ruth, Asher, Cayden, and Amelia; her great-grandchildren, Nikayla and Annalee; her siblings James Griffitts (Cindy) and Lori Griffitts; her in-laws Lonnie Nelson and David Nelson (Debbie), and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her father Alvin Griffitts; father-in-law Dwayne Nelson; sister-in-law Suzanne Nelson; and her brother Wesley Griffitts. 

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.  To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com 

Dixie will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family for the love she brought into their lives.  A mother is the heart of the family, and to us you are irreplaceable.