- Born on: October 24, 1942
- Departed on: June 12, 2025
- Resided in: Waterloo, IA
Dixie Lee Smith
Dixie Lee Smith, 82, of Waterloo, Iowa, formerly of Jesup, died on June 12, 2025, at Cedar Valley Hospice House.
Dixie Lee was born October 24, 1942, daughter of Walter and Aurelia (Thorne) Freet. She attended the Jesup School System and graduated with the class of 1961. Dixie was united in marriage to Vern Groves in 1963 and to that union, a daughter, Sherri Lynn, was born. After living in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 25 years, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, Where Vern passed away in 1988.
Dixie stayed living in Las Vegas, loving the sunshine, occasional slots, bright lights, new found friends, and employed by the State of Nevada.
Dixie won the “JACKPOT” when Jerry Smith came back into her life (they were high school sweethearts), and were married “43 years” later. Never say never – true love never dies. They had a wonderful life together…and cried together as Jerry’s health began to deteriorate, and he died in 2020. Jerry and Dixie were a “Perfect Match”, and now, Dixie has joined Jerry in Heaven, as she died from a “Broken Heart”.
Surviving are her daughter, Sherri (John) Newton of Minnesota, sister Darlys (Edwin) Hughes of Maryland, brother Randy Freet of California, granddaughter Heather (Nathan) Schlief, and great granddaughter Haylee of Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Aurelia Freet, second husband Jerald Smith, first husband Vern Groves, sister, Bonnie Freet, brother Dennis Freet, sister-in-law Janice Freet, and sister-in-law Rae Freet.
Dixie was full of spirit and enjoyed life, love, laughter, and sunshine!
A private graveside service will be held for the burial of the Cremated Remains of Jerry and Dixie with full Military Rites conducted by Pump-Scheer American Legion Post #342 of Jesup, as Jerry was a retired veteran with 24+ years of Military Service, as well as a 30+ year retiree at John Deere.
And now, this is the end of a beautiful Love Story, as Jerry and Dixie will be “Together Again, “Forever and Always.”
This obituary was crafted by Dixie as per her final wishes.
