Helen L. Dixson

Helen Lucille Dixson

OGALLALA, Nebraska -- Helen Lucille Dixson passed away Saturday (Nov. 5, 2011), at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Helen was born on the family farm 10 miles north of Palisade, Nebraska in Hayes County, to Walter E. and Edna L. (Potter) Sander. She attended grade school at District No. 9 and graduated from Hayes Center High School. After graduation she went on to Beatrice Beauty Academy to become a licensed cosmetologist.

She started her first beauty shop in Wauneta where she met and later married Warren F. Buffington. To this union four children were born. They made their home on a farm in the Mount Zion (rural Wauneta) neighborhood until moving to her parent's home place north of Palisade where again Helen would open a beauty shop in town.

Helen was united in marriage to Donald George Dixson and moved to Trenton where she continued to live until after the death of her husband. Helen eventually moved to the Ogallala community to be closer to her daughter.

She was a member of the Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star for 50-plus years where she served as Worthy Matron and other offices. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and National Cosmetologist Association where she served on various boards working up to State President and remained active until her retirement. In her free time Helen enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Edna Sander; her husband, Donald Dixson; infant sister, Anna Marie and sister, Kathryn Dayton; granddaughter, Brenda Buffington Egle; and step-granddaughter, Karen Haskel.

Survivors include her three sons, Warren Ray Buffington and wife, Bonnie of Billings, Montana, Dick Buffington of Amarillo, Texas and Don Buffington and wife, Janet of Wheatland, Wyoming; daughter, Connie and husband, Lauren "Howdy" Bayley of Ogallala; step-son, John Allen Dixson and wife, Sandy of Portland, Oregon; seven grandsons and four granddaughters; four step-grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Alzheimer's Association.

Memorial services will be Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at the Palisade United Methodist Church with Rev. Bonnie McCord officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Palisade Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.