July 6, 1940 – March 14, 2026
With profound sadness we share the passing of our beloved mother, Dixie Rae Field Dunagan, “Mutie,” who passed away peacefully while holding Michelle’s hand, as she wished, on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at United Hospital in St. Paul.
She was born on July 6, 1940 in Rockford, Iowa, to Emory and Florence (Handt) Field.
Faith was the center of Dixie’s life and it guided her in every decision she made. One of her greatest blessings in life occurred on January 28, 1965 when she was united in marriage to Jack Dunagan. Later that year she and Jack anxiously awaited the arrival of their first child, unaware that she was pregnant with twins. When twins, Michelle and Michael arrived, she was overcome with joy and always recalled it as the best day of her life. Not to be overshadowed, their family was completed with the addition of their baby son, Matthew, who was born on she and Jack’s wedding anniversary in 1967. She and Jack built an inspired life together which spanned nearly 60 years until Jack’s passing in June of 2024.
Like most moms, Dixie was an unsung hero of the world. She advocated for women’s rights, human rights, and dignity for all. Beautiful inside and out, she lived a progressive life in the hopes of making the world better for others. She lived the values of faith, compassion, hard work, love and respect; all of which she taught to her children. Family always remained the center of her world.
A lifelong learner, she was eager to broaden her horizons by taking educational courses into her adulthood which led her to form the ladies’ group, “Mind Works.” Dixie also had the gift of creativity and was an accomplished painter and lover of ceramics.
Dixie loved The Lord unconditionally and lived her faith each and every day. She was a 20-year cancer survivor of multiple myeloma. The last six months she has thrived in her new community in Minnesota. She made many friends and enjoyed everything Lilydale Senior Living had to offer.
She is survived by her beloved children, Michelle (Mark) Bailey, Michael Dunagan, and Matthew (Carol) Dunagan; sister, Debbie Gitch; and many nieces and nephews. She will also be remembered by her best friend, Ginny Bartch and devoted friends, Mike and Sharon Sindlinger, Marcene and Willie Moore, Cindy Mostrom, Steve Stoltenberg, Pat Tomson, and Yolanda Lichman.
Dixie is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Mitchell; parents, Emory and Florence Field; sisters and brothers- in law, Dolores and Vern Abel, Darlene Lyman, Donna and Larry Stewart, Dianne and Bill Harrold; Jack’s sister, Dee and husband, John Archer; brother in law, Darwin Gitch; nephew, Tommy Wik; and niece, Arlene Timm.
In keeping with Dixie’s wishes, a private service will be held at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel. Should friends desire, memorials may be left in her honor to Trinity Lutheran Church of Mason City, IA or Lilydale Senior Living of Lilydale, MN.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kapoor, Miriam Hobbs, and the team at Mayo Clinic for the last two decades of care.
I am because you were.
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