Helen R. “Dixie” Sears, 81, “went to be with the Lord” on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. She died of natural causes.

Dixie was delivered by her dad on Sept. 3, 1926, in Rapelje. She grew up on the family ranch and was one of seven children.

They moved to Columbus and she met her future husband, Lincoln "Gene" Sears. They were high school sweethearts and were married in Livingston on Sept. 17, 1944. They had two children.

Dixie was a devoted wife and mother. She was an accomplished artist and spent much of her free time drawing, painting, sewing and crocheting. She enjoyed fishing, camping and observing nature.

Dixie and Gene lived in Billings during the time their children were growing up. In 1971, they moved to Star Meadows and began ranching. After they sold the ranch they moved to Kalispell where she lived, until the time of her passing, at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur J. Herbert and Caroline Slough Herbert; her brothers, Dick and George; and her sister, Audrey.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gene; son, Ron Sears, and wife, Leslie, of Kalispell; daughter, Debbie DeVries, and husband, Albert, of Conrad; grandchildren, Ronda DeVries of Conrad, Ty DeVries and wife Cassie of Conrad, Kyna Bighorn and husband Channon of Sidney, Josh Sears and wife Jenna of Medford, Ore., and Jon Sears and fiance Marika Henderson of Anchorage, Alaska; great-grandchildren, Shelby DeVries, Kindle and Jason DeVries of Conrad, and Keith, Kelli and Kristin Bighorn of Sidney; sisters, Paula Davis of Billings, Mabel Day of St. George, Utah, and Alice Patrick of Spokane.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.