Dixie Lee Fralic

September 29, 1956 - May 15, 2015

Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman as one who cares for her family without thought, loves her husband dearly, is eager to work, always has a joyful spirit and willingness to help others, and is full of wisdom beyond her years. Dixie Fralic lived those words daily, and her faith was her foundation for life. Dixie Lee Fralic, aged 58 of Hart, formerly of Manistee passed away on Friday, May 15 at her home surrounded by her family after a hard fought fight with cancer. She won the battle and now celebrates with her savior in heaven. Dixie was born on September 29, 1956 in Frankfort, the daughter of Robert and Norma (Soper) Schimke, and graduated from Onekema High School with the class of 1974. On February 22, 1975 she married the love of her life, Rusty Fralic at the Irons Union Church officiated by her uncle Rev. Fred Soper. They have celebrated 40 years, hand in hand by each other’s side. Dixie loved her family, her husband, her children, and especially her precious grandchildren. She had a playful and carefree attitude and faced every task with amazing energy. Her great sense of humor and infectious smile would light up a room. She was affectionately known as “Miss Bedazzle” by the staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center because of the way she faced her treatments with smiles and dance. Dixie developed a reputation for her cleaning habits, dusting, polishing, and catching every nook and cranny, making sure everything shined. She enjoyed working outdoors gardening, weeding the flower beds, and mowing the lawn with the same vigor. She was never shy with home improvement, working side by side with Rusty as they built their new home. Dixie was a free spirit and loved traveling the open road with Rusty on their motorcycles often venturing out west, sometimes on her own bike, and sometimes just enjoying riding with Rusty so she could hold him tight and share their thoughts together as they rode. Dixie loved being a Mom to her children and was blessed to carry the name of Grandma. An encourager, she often looked for ways to support her children in their lives, careers, and their families. But her greatest love was for Rusty. Whether encouraging him with notes in his briefcase, lifting him up through the rough times, driving halfway to the airport to greet him as he returned from a business trip, filling their home with memories and wonderful smells of baking, or simply holding his hand while they walked, she defined the meaning of true love and admiration. Dixie’s faith was her foundation, which helped her be a blessing to many throughout her fight with cancer. When living in Manistee, she and Rusty served as youth leaders in their church, assisted with youth soccer, and recently while living in Texas, helped prepare and serve meals for the ARK Church Thanksgiving meal outreach feeding thousands. Dixie studied the scriptures and kept a daily devotional journal. She would share the verses with friends and write words of encouragement to others walking the journey of cancer treatments hoping to be a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. It was her hope and prayer to be a leader in finding a cure by sharing her experiences and helping shine the spotlight on the research and progress being made. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Dixie’s faith, love, encouragement, grace, and courage will live in the hearts she touched forever. Dixie was preceded in death by her father Robert Schimke, her father-in-law Dale Fralic, her daughter-in-law Melissa Fralic, and her brother-in-law Kerry Fralic. She will be greatly missed by her husband Rusty, her daughter Layna (Bill) Howland of Hurricane, West Virginia, her son Mark Fralic of Hart, her grandchildren Lilee and Liam Howland, her mother Norma Schimke of Onekema, her brother and sisters Julie Hansen, Tammie (Frank)Kruse, and David (Kristine) Schimke, all of Manistee, Loree (John) Sprawka of Onekema, Bonnie (Mike) Nethercott of Lowell, and Connie (Steve) Miller of Lakeview, her mother-in-law Jan (Jack) Aussicker of Zeeland, her sisters-in-law Jody (Vic) Winstrom of Holland, Tomi (Joe) Bystrom of Zeeland, and Katie (Steve) Cloninger of Conover, North Carolina, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends. A Celebration of Dixie’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 23 at the Mason County Reformed Church in Scottville, with her friend Pastor Dan Barkholz officiating. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Saturday morning from 10:00 am until time of services at the church. Those who wish to make contributions in Dixie’s memory are asked to consider the Broach Foundation for Brain Cancer Research, 2726 Bissonnet Street, Suite 240-602, Houston, Texas 77005. www.thebroachfoundation.org