Dixie Marie Hamilton, 88, Reva, died Monday, January 18, 2010, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be Friday, from noon until 5:00 p.m at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A rosary service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010, at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Fr. Arnold Kari officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Hamilton Ranch Family Cemetery near Reva.

Dixie was born July 13, 1921, to pioneers, Martin and (Ella) Mary Ellen (Murray) Blomberg at O'Neill, NE, where Ella had gone in order to be with her family for the birth of the baby. They then returned to the Slim Buttes where Dixie was raised.

Dixie attended grade school at the Rock Ranch country school and attended St. Martin's Academy and Sorum High School. Her teaching degree was from Black Hills Teacher's College.

Dixie taught in various country schools in Perkins and Harding Counties, including Rock Ranch, Govert, and Jefferson. She taught 21 years and two generations of students. This was 21 successful years of happiness, enjoying every day of being with the children. Many of the students called, wrote, and sent pictures of their families all down through the years.

In true western style the pretty, petite schoolteacher married the tall handsome cowboy, Maurice Hamilton. There were married on June 2, 1951 in Buffalo, SD and made their home in Prairie City.

In 1959 Dixie and Maurice moved to her home ranch near Sorum and built up a successful ranch, the quarter circle M, and a fine herd of cattle.

Dixie loved ballads, semi classical music, poems, and poetry. She was a great fan of the movies and movie stars. Dixie was a member of Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church, Retired Teacher's Association, Woman's Chairperson of Farm Bureau, NEA Member, SDEA Member, life member of social and academic sororities and the Bison American Legion Auxiliary. Dixie also had a special devotion to the Rosary.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Maurice Hamilton, Reva, SD; sister-in-law, Sophie Blomberg, Hoover; nephew, Bill Blomberg, Sturgis; niece, Pat (John) Heinz, Pine Haven, WY; and many very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Blair Hamilton and one brother, Martin (Bud) Blomberg.

A memorial has been established.