Warren Dixon, Sioux Falls

Warren A. Dixon, 88, Sioux Falls, formerly of Mitchell, died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at Avera Prince of Peace Nursing Home, Sioux Falls.

He was born on April 3, 1924.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at First Lutheran Church, Mitchell. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home, Sioux Falls.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell.

Warren A. Dixon was the second son born to Walter and Emma (Knoepp) Dixon in Mitchell.

Warren graduated from Mitchell High School and went on to Iowa State College in Ames, where he was pursuing courses towards a degree in architectural engineering when his studies were interrupted to serve as a naval officer during World War II.

He served aboard the USS Ocklawaha in the Pacific theater, followed by 11 years in the Naval Reserve.

He finished his education at the University of Nebraska and joined the firm of Walter J Dixon Architects in Mitchell, later known as Dixon and Brown.

Some of the larger architectural projects he was a part of designing during his career included Mitchell Junior and Senior High schools and Vo-Tech; extensive work for the Benedictine Sisters at Sacred Heart Hospital and Mount Marty College in Yankton; St. Mary’s Hospital campus in Pierre; the multiuse teaching facility at Northern State College and numerous small hospitals and churches throughout South Dakota.

Warren married Suzanne Robinson at First Congregational Church, Pierre, on Sept. 3, 1949.

They made their home in Mitchell and were blessed with four children.

Warren designed or partially designed each of their homes.

He and Suzanne bought one of the early motor homes in order to travel inexpensively. It was a converted step van and very compact for six people, but made it possible to make many memorable family trips.

They enjoyed trips to the Black Hills to visit Suzanne’s parents and traveled north and east as far as Quebec and New York.

In 1965, these trips came to an end when their kindergarten son, David’s, sudden illness left him severely brain-injured. After much research and multiple trips across the country, it was determined that nothing more could be done for him and Warren and his wife provided his full-time loving care until they moved to Prince of Peace in April 2011.

David has been a great blessing to them and their family and they were still able to pursue full and active lives.

In 1979, with business slow and some family in Colorado, Warren, Suzanne and David moved to Loveland.

There, he was employed by Muir and Associates Architects and designed many schools from Windsor to Denver.

After retirement, they returned to South Dakota in 1992.

Warren was a member of American Institute of Architects, First Lutheran Church, American Legion, a board member of Mitchell Chamber of Commerce and the local handicapped board.

He was a pilot, a champion golfer, a bowler and avid pheasant hunter. He had a great sense of humor and smile and a competitive spirit and he loved playing games of all kinds and following his favorite sports teams.

Most of all, he was a dedicated and loving father and husband, and a good friend.

He died at Avera Prince of Peace with his cherished family.

Grateful for sharing the life of this kind and gentle man are his wife of 63 years, Suzanne; daughters: Karen Olson (Chip), Northridge, Calif.; and Barbara Rance (Frank), Sioux Falls; and sons: Jeffrey Dixon, Northfield, Minn.; and David Dixon, Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Scott Nickoley (Amanda), Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Todd Nickoley, Carbondale, Colo.; Andrew Rance, St. Paul, Minn.; Molly Rance, Seoul, South Korea; Kevin Rance, Omaha, Neb.; and step-grandchildren: Gina Paulas (Derek), Frankfort, Ill.; and Derek Olson, St. Paul; three great-grandchildren: Damon, Donovan and Dylan Nickoley; three step-great-grandchildren: Paul English, Avery and Quincy Paulas; sisters-in-law: Sallie Dixon, Roanoke, Va.; Betty Dixon, Mitchell; Barbara Nelson (Gene), Yankton; a brotherin-law, Will Robinson, Rapid City; and several nieces and nephews.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Walt Jr. and Bob; and sister, Marilyn Baughan.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to Avera Prince of Peace Foundation Building Fund, Sioux Falls.

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