Gerald "Gerry" A. Dix

Gerald Arthur Dix, 82, passed away quietly at his home in Brownsville, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Gerry was born July 5, 1942, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Clarence and Doloris (Ott) Dix. He was a graduate of Madison East High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he married his college sweetheart, Nancy (Smith) in 1965. They moved to California in 1966, where his favorite older daughter, Andrea, was born in 1968. They moved back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his favorite younger daughter, Kelly, was born in 1970. There, he began a distinguished career as a top salesman for Tekra Corporation for more than 30 years, retiring in 2001.

After moving to Oregon, Wisconsin, he enjoyed joint custody of his daughters and always looked forward to their weekend and summer visits.

During this time, he met and married his "current" wife, Sinita (Evenson) Dix. They moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in late 1983, bringing daughter Andi with them to finish high school in La Crosse.

Gerry lived a full and active life. He played slow-pitch softball and pitched for several years for the Blaney's team in Oregon. He loved anything outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter, including deer, antelope, elk, ducks, geese, and even bears. There were many trips to Canada, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as out west. During the '70s and '80s, he was part of a group of friends who embarked upon a fly-in fishing trip to Canada every other year.

Gerry enjoyed many, many trips to the Chippewa flowage in Wisconsin throughout the years, first with friends and later with Sinita, camping on the islands. It was one of his favorite places.

In 1990, Gerry and Sinita purchased a farm outside of Hokah, Minnesota, which they called home for 33 years. Here, he continued his love of deer hunting, enjoying the camaraderie of many friends who were invited to join him on "D-Farm". For many years, he required a "payment" from them, in the form of a written account of their hunt that season. It's unclear who enjoyed that more: the hunters, jotting down their memories, or Gerry, reading them. To facilitate all this hunting, he spent many hours planning and building deer blinds and stands, which can still be seen and used, scattered about the property.

Gerry was a staunch Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed taunting his friends who were Minnesota Vikings fans about their lack of a Super Bowl trophy. He proudly flew his Packer flag on the flagpole at home and on his golf cart.

After retirement, Gerry enjoyed a new-found love of just "putzing" about "D-Farm". He built a small shop in one corner of the barn, guided by a Reader's Digest "How-To" book and many, many calls and questions to his best friend and builder, "Ole".

He spent many happy hours “working” on the property and coming home tired and content. Afterward, a favorite ritual was to gather Sinita, binoculars, and a cooler, and take a "cocktail cruise" in the "mule" out to one of the blinds and watch for deer to come out at dusk.

When not engaged in these activities, Gerry was in a couple of golf leagues at the Ma-Cal-Grove Golf Club, enjoying the fellowship of his many friends and acquaintances. He also developed an insatiable love of fantasy football and later, fantasy golf.

During his time in Minnesota, he served a few terms as President of the Ma-Cal-Grove board, as well as president of the Hokah Co-op board.

Gerry was the "planner" within his large group of friends, being the one to initiate lunches, dinners, golf outings, fishing trips, etc. At one point, he was awarded a lanyard proclaiming him "Event Planner Extraordinaire". He also enjoyed many vacations with a beloved group of friends known as The Double R-D. (You know who you are !)

He dearly loved his girls, Andi and Kelly. He was especially proud of Andi's nearly 23 years in the Navy and her dedication to veterans and their families as part of her job at the National Cemetery Administration.

He is preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Debbie Dix. He is survived by his first wife, Nancy Randle, of Sarasota, FL; his "current" wife of 41 years, Sinita Dix, of Brownsville, Minnesota; sister, Luan Mitchell of Silver City, NM; his favorite daughter, Andi Dockstader of Cocoa, FL; and his other favorite daughter, Kelly (Paul) Karl of Grayslake, IL. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Taylor (Dockstader) Monk of Soda Springs, ID; Ashley Dockstader of Montpelier, ID; Rachel Karl, of St. Augustine, FL.; and Daniel Karl, of Chicago, IL; as well as three great-grandchildren: Grayson, Kaydence, and Lainey.

When recently asked what he wanted his obituary to say, his response was: "...Just, that if everyone - when they would think of me - that they would smile. That's all I could ask."

Gerry was a good friend, a great listener, a wonderful husband, and the best Dad. He was liked by nearly everyone who met him and was loved by those close to him.

He will be missed beyond measure.

"CLINK - CLINK - CLINK"

Memorial Celebration on Monday, June 16th, 2025, at Ma-Cal-Grove Country Club - 15939 State 76, Caledonia, MN 55921. Visitation from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a time of remembrance and a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brownsville EMTs and First Responders, or to a charity of your choice.