Dixie Ann Curtis

Dixie Ann Curtis, 79, passed away on June 5, 2024.  

[Dixie wrote this obituary soon after her initial cancer diagnosis in 2022. Some information has been edited for clarification, accuracy, and simplicity.]

If you are reading this, I’ve passed on. I wanted to write my own obituary, knowing that it will not be distributed until after my passing. All I can say in retrospect is that life for me has been very interesting and a wonderful experience!

I was born to Elmer Neil Jorgensen and Wanda Ruth Manwaring. My full name is Dixie Ann Jorgensen Curtis. I was born on April 7th, 1945, in Ogden, Utah. I was number two of five children in our family. My sister who passed away in 2017, Karen Jorgensen Freeman (Jim), then myself, followed by Jorja Jorgensen Baird (Cary), then my brothers Hal Jorgensen (Holly), and Randy Jorgensen (Kas). Shortly after I was born, my family moved to Pocatello, Idaho where my dad took a job with the Union Pacific Railroad.

I grew up in Pocatello and attended local schools and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1963, which was the only high school in the city at the time. In 1966, I was called to serve a two-year mission to Helsinki, Finland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This experience prepared me for the challenges that were coming my way in life! After I returned home, I reconnected with a friend, Kenneth B. Curtis, and we started dating. We were married shortly thereafter and sealed in the Idaho Falls temple on July 19, 1968.

We had six children born to us: Brad (Kristi Parrish), Brian (Carri Parrish), Janae (Robert Williams), Jason (Evelyn Campbell), Andrew (Rachel Norris), Alan (Elizabeth Brown). Our children have been the greatest joy in my life--and then came 25 grandchildren and six great grandchildren! Wow! They are all amazing and bring me so much happiness. I made a big effort to let them know how much they mean to me.

I have been very blessed to have many wonderful people around me that have helped me at different times as I tried to navigate this maze of life. All the patterns everyone must maneuver through are unique–and mine was no different. In June 2022, I made an appointment for a wellness check and my blood test was off. Tests showed that I was anemic and had signs of cancer. After additional tests, but no symptoms, it was determined that I had Stage 4 colon cancer, which had spread to my liver and lungs. At that time, I was given six months to live. I chose not to have surgery or take chemo or radiation. After [22 months], I was still without pain and had very few symptoms of the disease. This was the best decision ever! I was given extra time to get some important things done before I take an exit stage left--and consider it a huge miracle!

Since the diagnosis, my standard and priority has focused on nourishing relationships with the people I love. I try to make sure to tell family members and special people in my life that I love them and acknowledge the good I see in them. People can always use a genuine compliment to make their day complete!

I passed away on June 5, 2024, at my home in Pocatello, totally at peace with everything that has happened. Life has been a great ride for me. A big THANK-YOU to all my beloved family members and wonderful friends who have been patient and kind to me, who have also shared their love and lives with me. It's made my life better than I could have ever imagined. I hope to see you all on the other side! I've heard it's a beautiful place and better with those you love. I look forward to a grand reunion with everyone!

Dixie Ann Jorgensen Curtis

[Note: The final 77 days of Dixie’s life was a roller coaster of ups and downs. She was served by, and cared for, by many family members, friends, and hospice nurses. For that, we are grateful and glad that her race is now complete as she is reunited with her mother, sister, and countless family and friends. She will be missed!] 

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000 S Fairway, Pocatello, ID.  Viewings will be from 6-8 pm on Monday, June 10 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID and at 10 am Tuesday at the church.  Burial will follow at the Basalt Cemetery, 948 Yellowstone Hwy, Shelley, ID 83274.

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