Dixie Ann Ecker

Dixie was born October 6, 1941 in Laramie, Wyoming to Elizabeth Ann and Roscoe Richard (Dick) Allen.

Dixie's stay in Laramie was a short one of only 10 days, however, much of her early years were spent in Wyoming. Her father worked construction so the family moved frequently. From this time until a Junior in high school, Dixie lived in over 35 different towns in 6 western states. Although this was difficult at times, it was also a blessing in many ways as well. Through these experiences, Dixie learned to reach out and make many friends and learned to accept new ideas, people and circumstances. At times during her many moves, a book became her best friend and this love of reading stayed with her ALWAYS!

In 1956, her family moved to Green River, Utah. Dixie stayed there, briefly with the Bigelow family and then permanently with the Ted Ekker family while her parents moved to Colorado where they had no high school she could attend. It was through the Ted Ekker family that she met, wrote to and later married Roy Ekker who was, at the time, serving in the US Army. They were married on August 26, 1960 and then sealed for time and all eternity on May 21, 1966 in the Manti Temple.

Dixie and Roy spent 10 years in Green River, Utah where 2 of their 3 children were born. Noelle Kristine and Phillip Roy. In 1970, they moved to Provo, Utah and a year later their youngest, Daniel Duane, was born.

In 1972, they all moved to Payson, Utah where Dixie enjoyed her first "real" house and yard. As a family, they enjoyed 12 happy years, aside from one year they spent in Samoa, with special neighbors and friends. Roy's job then took all of them, with the exception of Kristine (who was married), to Annabella, Utah.

Dixie enjoyed the many, peaceful years they spent in Annabella. She worked at Pykettes Factory and then as an aide at Pahvant Elementary. Later, she went back to school and after a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, graduated with her Master's Degree in Special Education. She loved this job and worked until her, Roy and 2 of their grandchildren were in a terrible car accident, leaving Roy a paraplegic. After working full-time and caring for Roy full-time for 5 years, Dixie retired from teaching and devoted all of her time to Roy.

Dixie served in many LDS church callings including, Primary, Young Women's, Relief Society and as an extractor in genealogy. Young Women's held a special place in her heart and genealogy was one of her strong loves.

Eventually they ended up moving to LaVerkin, Utah, where the warmth of the sun proved better for Roy's health. After caring for Roy for 22 years, he passed away. The two of them were inseparable during their 60 years of marriage. Dixie has missed Roy every second since he has been gone. We know their reunion in heaven was sweet!

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Elizabeth Allen and her husband, Horace LeRoy Ekker.

Dixie is survived by her children, Noelle Kristine Peterson, Phillip Roy (Shawna) Ekker, and Daniel Duane (LaDawn) Ekker, 11 Grandchildren, 13 (with 2 more on the way) Great-Grandchildren and sister, Nancy Ogden.

Graveside Services were held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 1:30 pm at the Annabella Cemetery, Annabella, Utah. To view the service as well as to express a condolence to the family, please visit utahvalleyfuneral.com.

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.