Dixie Darlene Zech, age 87, passed away Friday, October 29, 2010 at her home in Wellington.

Dixie D. (Wood) Zech was born on July 14, 1923 in¬¬¬¬ Wichita, KS to Irvin Ingram and Elizabeth Ruth (Piercefield) Wood.

She married H. Burton Zech on May 18, 1941 in McPherson, KS. He preceded her in death on January 24, 2009 after 67 years of marriage.

Sometimes there are no words, and sometimes not enough. The first one that comes to mind is amazing! Then fun, loving, classy, generous to a fault, adventurous, strong, strong willed, proud, intelligent, well-versed, well-read, dedicated, leader, thoughtful, wise, a true friend, a life long friend! Avid golfer. Eastern Star Worthy Matron. Saddle Queen. She loved to watch her grandkids play ball. She loved to travel, to go, to be, and to do! She loved life! Stood by her principals and convictions, appreciated the aesthetics of nature and tried to impart them in all she came in contact with. Dixie was a true lady, beautiful inside and out! There are not enough words to describe the impact that she had on our lives & the love we had for her. The respect, admiration, and yes, sometimes fear…{hehe} Dixie Darlene Zech was a force to be reckoned with! She would simply cringe at being referred to as merely a "housewife" or "home-maker" although she was accomplished at both! She was a wonderful wife and mother! That noted, we will remember her instead as the "backbone" & "glue" that held us all together. She was the foundation of our family. The inspiration, the little voice inside our heads pushing us to succeed, to be the best we could be. The one person none of us could bare to disappoint. Her love for us was unconditional. After one of her talks, you felt like you could conquer the world, which is what our grandpa Burton did. He left us with a claim not many can make, he had accomplished everything he set out to do. We are quite sure it was because he had her behind him, beside him. She believed in him. She believed in us. Her faith unfaltering. Above all else, she just wanted us to be happy and live life to the fullest! Seize the moment and do it now! Her last written words, "Enjoy yourself! It's later than you think. The years go by as quickly as a wink. Enjoy yourself! "Think about it" "Strike while the iron is hot" "Time flies" "No time like the present" well, I think you get the idea. Time is one thing you cannot re-call. Soooo get busy and get on with your life!!!"

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Burton Zech; her daughter, Mary Ellen Zech; one brother, Richard Wood; two sisters, Irene Wood and Elizabeth Bartlett; and great grandchild, Austin Stewart.

Survivors include one son, Richard Zech and his wife Kathy of Wellington, KS; one daughter, Ann Barnes and her fiancé Jim Emerson of Wellington, KS; one sister, Mini Thomas of Wellington, KS; grandchildren, Gretchen Zech, Don Stewart, Spencer Zech and his companion Tracy Jenkins, Chris and his wife Melissa Stewart, Melissa Ybarra and her companion Brice Marshall; great grandchildren, Matty Donaldson, Ryan, Taylor, Chelsea and Conner Stewart, Eli, Dylan, Daniel, and Cody Zech, Wade Stewart, Tyler Ybarra, and Taylan Ybarra.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church. Mr. Gary Bodine will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Sumner Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 1, 2010 from 9:00 – 8:00 P.M.

Memorials have been established with Hospice Care of Kansas and the Wellington Humane Society. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.