VIVIAN, SD –

Dixie Erikson, 46, of Vivian, SD died Monday, October 23, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. After a long and courageous fight with cancer she went to her heavenly home.

Prayer services will be held at Grace Methodist Church in Presho, SD on October 27th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Funeral service will be held at the Lyman Gardens gym in Presho, SD on October 28th at 10:30 AM.

A light lunch will be provided following the service in the Raider gym- adjacent to the Lyman Gardens.

A private family burial will take place at the Vivian Cemetery.

Dixie Sue Calhoon was born June 20, 1977 in Pierre, SD to Kenneth David “Dave” and Jean (Addison) Calhoon. She grew up on the family ranch near Midland, SD. Her education was all accomplished in Midland with graduation in 1995. During high school, she was active as a Vikings basketball player, track athlete, cheerleader, choir and drama.

A highlight of her early years was attending Victory Bible Camp near Ft. Pierre, SD where her mother also attended as a camper and worked later as a cook. Dixie spent time as a camp counselor and later sent her own children to be Victory Bible campers. She developed a strong, unwavering faith and it carried her all the way through her cancer fight.

In her youth, she loved Elvis movies, westerns and sledding with friends. She and friend Joni Block spent hours dressing cats up as babies and pushing them around in baby strollers. Growing up, she loved spending time with family- especially her beloved cousins.

Dixie loved to be outdoors and was her dad’s shadow as a youngster. According to her dad, she was the best darned calf wrestler he knew. But as much as she loved the outdoors, she spent a lot of time in the house learning the finer points of cooking from her mom Jean and Grandma Addison. Anyone that knew Dixie knew that whatever dish she made was going to be the best! She had such a wonderful knack for serving epic holiday meals complete with homemade candies and you always felt her special touch of ‘home!” Later in life, Dixie aspired to keep some of her favorite holiday traditions alive for her kids. She loved Hallmark movies and decorating her home for Christmas. The countdown to put up her tree started months early!

During the years following high school, she worked at the Kadoka Nursing Home as a CNA which prompted her to begin Nursing School at University of South Dakota. In 1997, she welcomed her first son, James David on November 16 and then moved to Pierre to complete the nursing program, graduating in May 2006.

Dixie’s pivotal life moment was when she met Karsten Erikson. They married on August 4, 2005 and to this union they were blessed with two more boys, Carter Daryld in 2006 and Evan Bart in 2011. Their family of five now felt complete.

Over the last several years, she worked on and off at the Kadoka Nursing Home and developed many important friendships within that community. Also, she was a home health caregiver to area residents and was always ready to assist–whether it was changing bandages, checking blood pressure, or just offering advice in her friendly way.

Her home was her castle and she always kept the home fires burning for her men. She had a simple, old fashioned touch evident in the special decorating details with various glass jars, just the right picture, old coffee kettles and vintage handmade items throughout her home. Her special touch extended to the outside, as well. There were always flowers and unique yard items arranged just so. She was content with a genuine, simple way of life where their family thrived. With a heart full of love, she made her house a home and we shall miss her dearly.

Dixie is survived by her husband, Karsten and their sons, James, Carter and Evan; parents, Dave and Jean Calhoon, brother, Josh and numerous cherished aunts and uncles; in laws, Ron and Donna Kinsley; brother and sister in law, Clint and Tessa Erikson and children, Ellie, Aaron, Miley and Owen; sister and brother in law, Beth and Trusty Mertens and children, Grace, Josie and Amber; sister and brother in law, Courtney and Mike Gould and children Ruby and Beck; brother and sister in law, Chris and Alicia Erikson and children Camden, Archer and Renner.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Chadwick and Marie Addison; paternal grandparents Kenneth “Pat” and Margaret Calhoon along with step-grandfather, Chester Calhoon.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse