Dixielee Rika Bergeson, 70

Dixielee Rika Bergeson passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at her home away from home, the Beehive in Columbia Falls with her granddaughter Nicole by her side.

Dixie was born Oct. 26, 1950, to Glenn “Bud” and Cornelia Kelsey in Whitefish. Dixie was the second oldest of her five siblings, and spent her childhood and teen years in Whitefish, graduating from Whitefish High School. Dixie had fond memories of working at Gordie’s drive in restaurant and Frenchie’s Chinese Gardens when she was a teenager. Dixie’s maternal grandparents immigrated to Whitefish from Holland to work on the railroad in the early 1900s.

Dixie met Doug Bergeson in high school and they went on to marry in 1969. The joy of Dixie’s life were her three boys and she spent her early married years rearing Bruce, Shawn and Donovan (and the rest of the neighborhood, too). Dixie was an amazing cook and mother and was always available with a smile, an ear, and a cup of coffee. Dixie had many talents and hobbies, including taking beautiful photographs and collecting many family mementos and antiques. She was an animal lover at heart and had many, many pets that she loved and cared for throughout her lifetime.

Dixie was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband and best friend Doug, and her sister Patty Ross.

Dixie is survived by her three children, Bruce, Shawn and Donovan (Debi). Also surviving are her grandchildren, of whom she loved with all her heart, Justin, Samantha, Jordan, Lauren (Levi), Nicole, Auston (Sofie), Brady, Carter and Josephine. In addition, Dixie’s great- grandchildren are Bryson, Westley, Waylon, Nicholas and Hunter. She is also survived by her sisters Judy Stevens and Jeannette Krueger, and her brother Byron (Cory) Kelsey, all of Kalispell, and sister-in-law, Robin Strunk and family of Oregon.

For the many friends and family of both Dixie and Doug Bergeson, we will have a celebration of life for them together this spring and we will announce a date soon.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell is caring for Dixie’s family.