Dixie Lee Crosby of Gladwin, age 75, succumbed peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, to a long, hard battle of chronic pain and renal failure on April 18, 2021. Although she lost her battle, she was a true fighter all the way through and did not allow this disease to rob her of having a few extra years with those she loved.

Dixie was born November 28, 1945, to Carl and Donna VanPetten. She was raised by her grandparents, Nicholas and Sadie VanPetten.  In 1963, she graduated from Akron-Fairgrove High School and married John R. Crosby on June 15 that same year. She was employed at the Caro Regional Center where a commercial kitchen accident would end her career and begin her early battle with chronic pain at a young age. She and John raised four children, Dawn, Shelly, Renee, and John Jr. She never let the pain she endured hold her down. She tackled life’s physical, mental, and emotional challenges head on and pushed forward. She and John enjoyed many miles on the road in an RV, traveling with their children, and carried on the tradition with their grandchildren later in life. Dixie loved to read books, play board games, garden and put together puzzles. The simplest of pleasures in life brought Dixie great joy. A bird outside of her window on a sunny day would make her smile; a flower blooming in the garden that surrounded her patio made the day colorful and bright; a bonfire full of burnt marshmallows and children’s giggles was a best spent evening; a smile on the face of her grandchildren made the world a better place. She appreciated the little things to keep her going strong! She found solace and purpose in life by being the best wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend anyone could ask for. Her efforts were never wasted, her time never ill spent…her priority was always her family, and she would not hesitate to be by your side the moment you needed her! Although she will be greatly missed by many, we can all find some comfort knowing that her hard-fought battle is over, and she can finally rest peacefully and pain free in her eternal home. 

Dixie is survived by her husband, John, of Gladwin; children: Dawn (Scott) Woidan of Deford, Shelly (Dave) Bartnik of Deford, Renee Crosby of Gladwin, John Crosby Jr of Gladwin; sister, Cathy Childs of Fairgrove; grandchildren: Heather (Jeremy) Forrest, Tanya (Cory) Kulinski, Mandi (Austin) Osentoski, Matthew (Jess) Bartnik, Rachel Bartnik (Channing Langenberg), Jacob (Cheryl) Skinner, Jessica Skinner (Charlie Sharp), Julia Skinner (Jeremy Keast), Jeremy Crosby; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; brother-in-law, Carl Childs; and grandsons: Scott Woidan and Joshua Crosby.

As per her wishes a funeral service will be held April 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home-Gladwin Chapel with Pastor Cheryl Mancier officiating. Visitation will be held April 22, 2021, from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be at Sunset Valley Crematory following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home-Gladwin Chapel.