DEER LODGE, MONTANA--Dixie Lee Gill, 74, a former Rapid City resident, passed away much as she had lived her life, peacefully and with much dignity and grace, on Monday, July 30, 2012, surrounded by her family at her home in Deer Lodge, Montana, where she and her husband Jerry have lived since 2008. In the days prior to her passing, she had expressed her desire to her family of her wish to leave the suffering behind and of her readiness to "begin the journey Home". In the past few weeks, our family has been drawn together in a new way. The Wife and Mother who had cared for us so many years now needed our special care. As we worked and prayed and waited together through the long hours, we remembered and discovered anew how she affected our lives, and those of so many others. Today we rejoice in the knowledge that she has passed the barrier of time as we know it and is now without pain and forever at Home. In June of 1956, Dixie was married to Jerry Gill, who survives. For more than 56 years, they have experienced the changing scenes of life together, and shared in the trials and countless triumphs that all lives which are truly well lived will bring. Surviving along with her husband Jerry are her mother, Evelyn Cleveland, of Rapid City; four daughters, Tami Bonato and Paul Relf, of Deer Lodge, Terri Gill, of Dillon, Mont. Brenda Gill and David Wallace, of Bartonville, Ill. and Sara Gill and Steve Conlon, of Victor, Mont.; two sons, Brian and Mary Gill, of Spearfish and Bruce and Jo Gill, of Rapid City. She is also remembered and loved by 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Cleveland, of Denver, Colo. and Mary Masten, of Rapid City; two step brothers, Warner Curl, of Renton, Wash. and Steve Curl, of Libby, Mont. Preceding her in passing was her father, Les Hanson, of Wessington Springs Dixie forever changed the lives of everyone she came into contact with. Her love of life that she shared with all her family and many friends left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She had many passions, and among her favorites was her love and gift of cross stitching. Her light could be seen shining through the window in the early morning hours as she worked on amazing pieces and shared them in copious amounts with both family and friends. We will miss her terribly, but find comfort in knowing she is now at rest and that we will all be together with her once again. We fully expect that the angels who dwell near her new Home will smile knowingly as they pass by early in the morning and see her light shining through her window as she prepares new pieces for us in anticipation of our reunion. For all those who knew Dixie, her Light will never grow dim. Dixie's family would like to thank their many friends for the kindnesses which have been given during this time of sorrow and during the course of the years. We also thank the many staff members of St. James Hospital in Butte Montana for their efforts, as well as the staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice of Butte Montana, and also Lynn Blaine and Amanda Seitzinger, all who have worked tirelessly in making Dixie's last days so much more comfortable. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 4, at 11:00 a.m., at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Lane officiating. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 am on Saturday. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.