Dixie Skabelund

Dixie Lee Skabelund, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully the afternoon of December 22, 2024, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and creativity that will forever inspire those who knew her. 

Born October 12, 1946 in Logan, Utah, as the first child of Glen William and Jacquelyn Hansen Hillyard, she is survived by her siblings, John Hillyard, Sheri Murray, Leisa Christensen, and Angie Heaps. Dixie was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Lee Skabelund. Together, they shared a beautiful life filled with love, adventure, and dedication to family. In their early years, they lived in picturesque places such as Hungry Horse, Montana; Priest River, Idaho; and Dutch John, Utah, as Lee worked for the U.S. Forest Service. The first summer of their marriage was uniquely spent in the Ute Lookout Tower in the Uinta Mountains, spotting forest fires, a memory they cherished throughout their lives. 

Dixie and Lee were blessed with five children: Celeste, Hoyt, Troy, Shelby, and Travis. As a devoted mother, Dixie created a home filled with love, learning, and countless cherished memories. She loved reading bedtime stories to her children and later to her grandchildren, sparking imaginations and fostering a lifelong love of reading.  

Dixie’s passion for education led her to serve as the school librarian at Dutch John Elementary School, where she also taught handwriting and Utah history. She found her greatest joy in working with the school’s special needs children, whom she loved as her own. Dixie had a unique gift for making each child feel special and valued, leaving a lasting impact on numerous young lives.  

Later in life, Dixie worked at the Relief Society building for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a role that reflected her enduring faith and commitment to serving others. Dixie’s life was a shining example of kindness, humility, and love. She was accepting of all and saw the good in everyone.  

Dixie found joy in drawing and coloring flowers in her spare time. She loved to make hand drawn birthday cards for her children and grandchildren. Each one was filled with a customized “Roses are Red” poem for each individual. All of this effort made each person feel her love for them.  

Dixie is survived by her five children, her grandchildren, her 14 grandchildren, her four great-grandchildren and all of the individuals whose lives she touched with her warmth, creativity, and generosity. She now joins her beloved Lee in eternal rest, their love continuing to inspire those they left behind. In honoring Dixie’s memory, may we strive to follow her example of selflessness, grace, and appreciation for life’s beauty. 

A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45am, Saturday, December 28, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 180 South 300 East, Centerville, UT 84014, followed by a memorial service from 11:00am-12:30pm.

Interment will be at the Hyde Park Cemetery in Hyde Park, Utah at 3:30pm the same day.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and this obituary page.