Dixie L. Holmes, 74, of Sheridan died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at her residence.

A viewing is 6-7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Kane Funeral Home. A celebration of life is 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the funeral home with a reception following at the Elks Lodge. Burial is in Sheridan Elks Cemetery.

Born March 22, 1935, in Havre, Mont., to Richard H. "Dick" and Isabelle R. (Achenbach) Ellis, she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1953 and married George B. "Sonny" Holmes on Oct. 10, 1953, at the Methodist Church here.

Before moving to Sheridan in 1977, she lived at the family ranch, Rancholme Cattle Co., in Decker, Mont.

From 2000 to June 2003, she lived in Arizona.

Mrs. Holmes enjoyed being a full-time wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She also enjoyed dancing, playing cards, video poker machines, rodeos, fishing, travel, meeting and learning about people and their families, and telling good jokes.

She especially enjoyed going to Las Vegas with her husband.

She was a member of the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does.

She was preceded in death by a son, Mark Dennis Holmes, in 1973 and her husband in 2002.

Survivors include a daughter, Michele Denise “Shelly” Holmes of Cave Creek, Ariz.; a brother, Rick Ellis of Cave Creek; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Elks Youth Rodeo, P.O. Box 624, Sheridan, WY 82801 or Hospice of the Big Horns, 1401 W. Fifth St., Sheridan.

The Sheridan Press - December 31, 2009.