Dixie Lee Carman, of Thompson Falls, Montana, passed away on April 14, 2026 at home with her family.

Dixie was born on January 21,1947 in Ellensburg, Washington to Gaylord and Edith Jones. Her beloved younger sister, Bonnie, joined the family a few years later.

They moved to Pend Oreille County, Washington when the girls were young. Dixie attended Cusick High School and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1965. She pursued her college education at Whitworth College and Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington where she obtained her nursing degree. After college, Dixie moved to Grandview, Washington to begin her career.

Her daughter, Nykolee, was born there. Dixie worked at a long term care facility and on the family farm with the husband she adored, Neil Carman. They tended a small orchard and raised animals. Dixie used her skills to keep many day old calves from the local dairy alive.

Dixie and Neil retired and moved to Thompson Falls, Montana in the early 1990’s. They were welcomed with open arms and considered this community home. Caring for the geriatric population was Dixie’s career and her passion.

She returned to work with Clark Fork Valley Hospital Home Health and Hospice so she would have a way to continue providing care and compassion to those in need. She touched many lives in Sanders County by being a nurse, a friend, and a neighbor. It is hard to find someone in the community that was not touched by her kindness in some way. She was feisty, honest, and most often the one in the room that was in charge. She went above and beyond in all ways to make sure her patients and her friends were respected, cared for, and loved.

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her nephew, Nathan Carstens. She is survived by her sister and brother in law (Bonnie and Randy Carstens); her daughter, son in law, and grandsons (Nykolee, Mike, Ryan, and Tyler Battles); and her stepsons Alex and Travis Carman and their families.

Dixie’s legacy of empathy, compassion, and understanding is best honored by sharing those things with others. Her family has been loved their entire lives by one of the most beautiful human beings. They could not possibly need anything else at this time. They are requesting that, in her honor, you find a way to help or comfort someone in need.