"i remember Dixie and Raburn both from when i was a little girl in Malvern. my grandparents Dean and Marilyn Sila lived there. i remember when Dixie used to work in the kitchen at Chantry and i would see her at the methodist church when i would visit my grandparents over the years. i hadnt seen her and Raburn since i was pregnant with my oldest son back in 2007. she was truly a blessing to all who got to know her my heart goes out to Raburn and the rest of the Benton family. sincerely Jennifer Sila"
In loving memory of
Dixie Benton
January 5, 1936 - June 13, 2021
Dixie Benton, 85 of Lincoln, NE, formerly of Malvern, IA, passed away on June 13, 2021 in Lincoln. Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Malvern United Methodist Church in Malvern with Rev. Joni Hickey and Rev. Carl Phillips officiating. There is no scheduled visitation. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern is caring for Dixie and her family.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given in Dixie's name to Malvern United Methodist Church or Malvern Student Loan Fund.
Dixie Christine Benton went Home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 13th.
Dixie was preceded in death by her sister, Sue Hollis Zanders, brothers Doug Zanders, Donner Zanders, and Dan Zanders; son-in-law Scott Gaylord; and parents Frank and Lucille (Dunn) Zanders.
Dixie is survived by her husband of 61 years, Raburn Benton; brother Dee and his wife Joan Zanders; children Todd and his wife Susan Benton, Ty Benton and his fiance Jade Johnson and her son Asher, and Holly Gaylord; grandchildren Chloe (Gaylord) and her husband Matt Langworthy, Caleb and his wife Kelsey (Balluch) Gaylord, Christian Gaylord, Haley Benton, Emma Benton, Ben Benton, Blair (Benton) and her husband Trey Fox, and Zach Benton; great-grandchildren Sophie Langworthy, Rosalie Langworthy, Ryker Gaylord, Ryan Gaylord, and Rhys Gaylord .
She was born on January 5, 1936 in Council Bluffs, IA, to Lillian Lucille (Dunn) Zanders and Frank Leroy Zanders.
Dixie graduated from Malvern High School in 1953. she was an all around athlete in basketball, golf, and softball. No competitor, male or female, stood a change against Dixie. She pursued a teaching certificate and graduated from Wayne State College in 1959. Dixie married her high school sweetheart in 1961 in Sidney, IA. They raised a family in Malvern, IA, where they resided for 58 years. Dixie taught as a para educator at Chantry Elementary and a grade school teacher at Malvern Elementary for several years. She was a stay at home mom until her kids reached school-age. Her passion for children was evident through her years teaching, volunteering as a 4-H and Teen Club leader, and through her role as a mom, aunt, grandma, great-grandma, and grandma figure. Aside from her involvement with the youth, Dixie also served her church by singing in the choir and volunteering anywhere that was needed, often without being asked. She and Raburn loved to go square dancing, play bridge, golf, travel, and support their family. They spent many winters together in Florida and would travel to Estes Park, Colorado before each bean harvest season. Dixie was a devout farmer's wife for the majority of their marriage.
Dixie was known by many for her caring and loving nature. Her soft-spoken and gentle demeanor pushed everyone to be their best. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children, who then passed down to their children. Her kindness radiated all over Malvern and anywhere she went.
Dixie was not only known for her character, but also for her food, as she was a phenomenal cook and baker. No holiday will be the same without her fudge or banana bread. Dixie never failed to send a birthday/holiday card to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and adopted grandchildren.
She was a light to all who knew her. She was strong, full of wisdom, and prayerful. Now, rather than worrying and praying for her family here on earth, she gets to join in praying with the saints and cloud of witnesses before her Savior in Heaven.
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