Obit: Courant, Dixie J. (1930 - 2017)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Courant, Cardarelle, Hustad, Hayday, McConnell, Pampusch, Denning

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/30/2017

Courant, Dixie J. (4 July 1930 – 24 August 2017)

Dixie J. Courant of St. Paul, MN, died Aug. 24, 2017, surrounded by family. She was born to Joe and Ann Cardarelle in Missouri July 4, 1930, and grew up in Neillsville. Adventurous and high-spirited, she left home for Minneapolis at 17, supporting herself while she studied at the Walker Art School, and earned a degree in occupational therapy from the U of M.

Dixie and her first husband had four children, whom she raised primarily as a single mother. She gave her all to ensure that they knew they were loved while fostering their independence. During the family’s years in Huntsville, AL, in the 1960s, she protested the interpretation of slavery that appeared in textbooks, and encouraged her children to study languages, and appreciate other cultures. After returning to Wisconsin, she earned a master’s in public health from the U of M, starting the same year, her oldest child began college. She later developed the COTA program for FVTI, then became a certified nursing home administrator. She took pride in her work, promoting independent living for older adults.

In 1986, Dixie married Hans Courant, a physicist at U O M with three grown children. They shared an appreciation of music, travel, nature, politics, and above all, family, and friends. Dixie “retired” to provide joyful, creative childcare for her grandchildren. She especially loved holidays, when three generations gathered at the couple’s Deer Lake cabin, or in their living room (up to 6 dogs included, songs obligatory). Her adventurous spirit never aged.

She is survived by her devoted husband Hans Courant and sister Ardys (Gene) Hustad, children Elisa Hayday, Kim McConnell (David), A. Mark Hayday (Maru Pampusch), Andria Hayday (Troy Denning); grandchildren Kevin McConnell and Marissa, Karina, and Elena Hayday; step-children Martha, Ted (Laura K.), and Tim (Carol Courant; and their children Miranda, Katherine, Alex, Phoebe, Elliot, Jack, and Miles.

Memorials are preferred to support the arts, social justice, animal welfare, or nature preservation.

Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at O’Halloran & Murphy, Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at St. Phillip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth, MN. Private interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.