Funeral services for Dixie Virginia Ballweber, age 83, of Kiester, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester. The Rev. Lynn Borgeson will officiate. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in

Fairview Cemetery, rural Kiester.

She died Friday, Sept. 13, 2002, in San Diego, Calif., at the home of her daughter.

Dixie was born on July 1, 1919, in Nebraska, the daughter of Dick and Pauline (Kiihn) Samples. She married Ronald Ballweber on Nov. 14, 1943, in Kiester.

Dixie graduated from Bricelyn High School and attended beauty and cosmetology school in Mankato. She owned and operated Dixie’s Beauty Shop in Kiester for 51 years. As a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester, she served as church organist for 25 years and was an active member of the United Methodist Women where she served in numerous offices. Dixie enjoyed and spent countless hours researching the Bible for the many “Guest Day&uot; programs for the church. She was creative, enjoyed doing counted cross-stitch, crocheting, and making and sending personalized greeting cards to her family and friends. Dixie enjoyed travel and new adventures. She was always willing to help others and put their needs above her own and knew how to give unconditional love. She was strong, independent and a sensitive role model for her daughters.

She is survived by one daughter, Paula Dee Ballweber and her husband, John Orlando III of San Diego, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald, in 1961; daughter, Roxan, in 1988; sister, Majorie McGee in 1987; and one brother, Lillburn Kiihn Samples.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester.