July 31, 1932 - July 8, 2016

Dixie Lee Babilla was born in Buffalo, Wyoming, on July 31st 1932 to Lillian Bernice (Campbell) Gillenwater and Ted Dewitt Gillenwater. She grew up in Buffalo where she helped with the family milking cows and having adventures with Shetland ponies. Her siblings were Bobby Gillenwater, Anna Mae (Gillenwater) Busby and Ted C. Gillenwater. Her parents moved to Sheridan WY where her sister, Sharon Ann (Gillenwater) Rasmussen, was born.

Dixie attended Sheridan High School and was gifted in music. She sang in chorale groups, musicals, and the church choir. Dixie was active in sports and played softball in a team which her father coached. She also enjoyed riding horses. She loved nature, therefore Wyoming, in its beauty, was a treasure to her. The mountains, sunsets, horses, wildlife, and flowers always gave her joy as she observed God's creation.

After graduation in 1952, she attended college at Bob Jones University where she met her husband of 39 years, Daniel Joseph Babilla. They married in 1953 in Sheridan and returned to college. Dixie pursued an Education degree and Daniel studied in the Seminary. They were involved in ministries together in Denver and Sheridan. In 1958, Priscilla Kay (Babilla) Hughes was born.

The family then moved to Chicago, IL, where Daniel began to work for the railroad. Dixie and Dan were involved in ministries with Brynford Bible Church being Sunday school director, teacher, neighborhood Bible outreach, girls and boys cub leaders. They also were involved in rescue mission work in downtown Chicago. Their son Daniel Joseph Babilla, Jr. was born in 1963 in Sheridan. They continued their work in Chicago and in 1969 Rebecca Joy (Babilla) Lucas-Bordeaux was born.

In 1972 the Santa Fe Railroad changed to Amtrak and the family moved to Topeka, KS. The family was involved in a small Baptist church a block away. Dixie worked for Jostens yearbook and Ardans Store. All her children graduated high school; Priscilla 1976, Dan 1981, Rebecca in 1987, and all attended college. I

n 1988, Dixie and Dan moved back to Sheridan, WY and spent their retirement years together. They attended a local church and were involved in ministries. Dixie was also a member of Republican Women of Sheridan County, Sweet Adelines', SheridanAires , and Patchwork . She learned creative arts as crochet, pottery, and beadwork. She made special items for her family. She visited the Sheridan Senior Center daily making lasting friendships in this community. Dixie had a deep love for her family and a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.

She had 8 grandchildren, Melissa (Josh) Ludwig, Krystal Koci, Angelea Hughes, Matthew Hughes, Rachel Babilla, Lynnie Lucas, Lillyann Lucas, and Joseph Babilla. She also had 2 great-grandchildren, Max Ludwig and Madison Ludwig.

Services will be Saturday July 23rd at 10 am in the Bethesda Worship Center Sheridan,WY. Burial services will be held directly following at Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, WY.

Memorials can be made to Sheridan Senior Center.

The Sheridan Press - July 18, 2016.