Dixie Marie (Nickell) Bontrager, 87 of Whiting, KS, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at home surrounded by her family.  She was born August 16, 1934 in Wetmore, KS, the daughter of Ross R. “Dick” and Velma L. (Mayer) Nickell.

 Dixie attended a one-room school house, Pea Ridge School, from 1st through 6th grade and graduated from Wetmore High School in 1952.  

 Dixie worked outside of her home most of her life. During high school summers she worked as a waitress at Cottage Inn in Horton, KS.   After graduation she moved to Topeka, KS and worked at Merchant’s National Bank for over 8 years.  Dixie carried mail as a rural mail carrier for over 30 years out of Holton, KS.  She served as President of the District Rural Letter Carrier’s Association and was a charter member of the VFW Post 1367 Auxiliary at Holton.  She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Holton, KS.

 On May 4, 1958, Dixie was united in marriage to Jack Bontrager in Holton, KS.  Dixie and Jack shared over 63 years together living most of their married life in the Whiting and Holton area.  

 Survivors include Jack of the home; three sons Mark (Vicki), Bruce, and Rex (Cindy) who all reside within a few miles of the home.  Dixie has one sister Shirley Sweeting (Roger) of Key West, Florida; 9 grandchildren Chad (Mandy), Chase (Kristel), Curt (Sydney), Nelson, Alexandria, Benjamin, Emma, Tori (Blake) and Brett; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Dixie was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Arlene Davidson, Doris Morris, and brother Keith Nickell.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Mercer Funeral Home at Holton, KS.  Family will meet with friends and family immediately following the service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Cheyenne Drive, in Holton, KS.  A private family burial will be held at a later date at Wetmore Cemetery. Dixie will lie in state Sunday afternoon February 27, 2022 until 6:30 p.m. and Monday, February 28, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice or the Holton Ball Association c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.