Dixie Gwynn Van Wagoner

Dixie Gwynn Van Wagoner left this world peacefully on March 19, 2022, surrounded by her family, whom she cherished and adored. Dixie was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 2, 1944 to Thomas Palmer Gwynn and Neva Gwynn. She was raised by her mother, who was an ER nurse at LDS Hospital. While her mom attended nursing school, Dixie spent

much of her childhood at her grandparents’ home in Scipio, Utah. Unfortunately, due to nuclear testing in Las Vegas, which was performed on windy days, she became a “down-winder” and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1990. She was in remission for 30 years until her cancer returned two years ago.

Dixie married Lynn Harris in 1966, and they had one daughter together, Kimberly. Lynn then passed away in 1971. Dixie later married her junior high school sweetheart and love of her life, Mel, in 1972. They had three children; Alexis, Christian, and Brittany.

Dixie worked for the Utah Department of Education for 28 years and retired in 2005. After retirement, she took up the hobby of golf, where she mastered it instantly and spent many days showing her husband and kids how the game was supposed to be played. She loved her double dates of golf and dinners with best friends of 65 years, Kay and Pete Robinson.

Dixie was not only an amazing mother to her four children, but also to many family members and her children’s friends, whom she took in as her own. She always had an open home, an open heart, and an open pantry. Dixie loved spending time with her kids and grandchildren, and she bragged about them endlessly. She enjoyed family vacations in Scipio, decorating her home, preparing amazing meals, spending money on her loved ones, reading her magazines, watching the news, snuggling with her dog and grand-dogs, and of course, her Brighton jewelry.

Dixie is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Melvin; children, Kim Thronson, Charles Thronson, Alexis Iversen (Neil), Christian Van Wagoner (Sarah), and Brittany Huggins (Steve); 10 grandchildren; Avery Noorda, Patrick, Connor and Nicholas Thronson, Alexander and Annabelle Huggins, Skyler and Garrett Iversen, Ruby Mae and Hazel Van Wagoner; and 2 great-grandchildren, James and Claire Thronson. She is also survived by one sister, Sharon Allred. Her younger sister, Candy Seedall, preceded her in death.

All of those she loved and touched deeply, please join us in celebrating her life on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at noon at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be one hour prior to the service. Guests are encouraged to use the parking on the north side of the building. She will be laid to rest following the service at Salt Lake City Cemetery, 4th Avenue and “N” Street, Salt Lake City. 

If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please send them to the Utah Golf Foundation in Dixie’s name. Donations benefit Veterans on Course and Youth on Course. www.UtahGolfFoundation.org. or in the donation link provided above.