Dixie L. Murl

Dixie L. Murl, 79, of Mason City, went to be with her heavenly Father on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M., on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams with Rev. Rod Allers officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00- 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 11, 2013, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with a Rosary service at 6:30 PM followed by a Scriptural Wake service. Interment will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Dixie Murl memorial fund in care of the family. Dixie was born June 20, 1934, in Mason City, the daughter of Marien E. and Maxine O. (Cassidy) Johnson. Following graduation from Mason City High School in 1953, Dixie was united in marriage to Lyle K. Murl Jr. on June 16, 1953, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. She worked for Montgomery Ward (following graduation), and most recently the Hy-Vee West Produce Department (part-time). At work she was known for the beautiful fruit baskets she arranged at Christmas time and for her excellent whistling skills. Co-workers would often refer to her as “Whistling Dixie”. Dixie was also a wonderful homemaker. Dixie took great pride in her appearance and loved Avon, as well as her weekly hair salon appointment. Dixie adored spending time with her family – especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was very proud of them. She enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing cards, BINGO, casino trips and tending to her flower garden. She had a “green thumb” and loved yellow flowers – particularly yellow roses. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she belonged to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Circle. Dixie had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Dixie is survived by her husband of 60 years: Lyle K. Murl Jr.; 6 children: Katherine Johnson and husband Barry of Rockford, IA, Marilyn Richey and husband Jay of Mason City, Susan Van Horn and husband Mark of Mason City, Michael Murl and wife Mary of Rochester, MN, Marcia Stromley and friend Dan of Mason City, and James Murl and friend Mari of Mason City; 14 grandchildren: Matthew and Ryan Johnson, Amy Bell, Cindy Carlson, Bryan Richey, Chad and Nathan Van Horn, Sarah and Jared Murl, Heather Stromley, Dixie, Dusty, Kyrie and Cassidy Murl; 7 great grandchildren; and 1 brother: James T. Johnson and wife Suzy of Edmonds, WA. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Dale Johnson and a brother in infancy; and her mother and father-in-law: Lyle Murl Sr. and Dorothy Murl.

Cemetery:
Interment will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to the Dixie Murl memorial fund in care of the family

Visitation:
Visitation will be held 5:00- 7:00 P.M. on Monday, November 11, 2013, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with a Rosary service at 6:30 PM followed by a Scriptural Wake service

Service:
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M., on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Chuch