Dixie Leishman Clawson

Dixie Leishman Clawson was filled with light, love, and joy. She was pint-sized but woke up every day to give the earth a spin. Her smile lit up every room, and her sparkling eyes danced when she spoke. She looked for the best in everyone and left a trail of happiness wherever she went. This world won’t be the same without her. On April 6, 2025, Heaven gained an angel as she ran into the loving arms of her sweetheart, Gary.

Dixie was born on September 8,1937, in Wellsville, Utah, to Reed and Gertrude Leishman. She was the fifth of eight children. A beautiful baby with blue eyes and dark hair, she spent her early years playing with siblings and cousins in the river bottoms, and riding horses to school.

Dixie attended South Cache High School, where she served as a Sparta Pep Club Officer, played the trumpet in the school band (also serving as band secretary), earned honors in track and softball, chaired the Junior Prom, and was crowned Wellsville City Queen.

She met her sweetheart, Gary, at a dance in Wellsville, where their eyes met across the dance floor. They danced their way through high school and were engaged before Gary left on a two-year LDS mission. On December 6, 1957, they were married in the Logan Temple. Soon after, six children—Michael, Shauna, Maria, Linda, Jared, and Latisha—joined their “happily ever after.”

Throughout their lives, Mom and Dad showed us, through little everyday moments, their love for each other. Dad would often come into the house, scoop Mom into his arms, and swing her around while she laughed and squealed, “Gary, put me down! You smell like the barn!” But he just smiled and kissed her anyway. We always knew that they adored each other.

Mom played a big role on the farm, sometimes running to town multiple times a day for tractor parts. You always knew it was lunchtime when her white truck came rolling down the dirt road, loaded with sandwiches, chips, drinks, and Twinkies. When the grandkids were old enough to help, Grandma was still driving that white truck down the dirt road to feed them lunch.

When the work was done for the day, Mom and Dad enjoyed riding horses. They were members of the Hyrum Saddle Club and made happy memories with their friends exploring the beautiful mountains of Cache Valley.

Mom’s greatest joy was being a mother. Each of us thought we were her favorite. She taught us to work hard, play hard, love others, be kind, and dream big.

She was always up before the crack of dawn—dressed, bed made, and breakfast on the table before we headed to school.

She attended every sporting event, musical, pageant, awards ceremony and graduation—her eyes filled with pride. She encouraged us through our disappointments too, teaching us to stay positive when our team lost, or we came in last. When the grandkids came along, she showed up for all their events too.

Mom was a wonderful homemaker. The house was always clean, clothes put away, and dinner ready each night. She taught us how to cook and preserve food—bottling peaches, pears, corn, beans, and pickles, and making delicious freezer jam. Sundays were filled with the aroma of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh vegetables, and homemade pie and ice cream. She always microwaved Dad’s ice cream for 20 seconds—just the way he liked it. On special occasions, when we would go out to dinner, Dad would joke with the server and ask if Mom could cook his meal because she was the best cook in the whole wide world. She’d blush—but we all knew it was true.

Mom taught us to enjoy life’s simple joys—She loved cookouts on warm summer nights, horse rides, and camping up Blacksmith Fork by the river. In the winter, she would bundle us up to go sleigh riding down Hooker’s Hill or help tie our sleds behind the tractor with all the neighborhood kids in tow. Mom always had hot chocolate and homemade treats waiting when we came back. She made life magical.

Music was a big part of mom’s life. We would snuggle on her bed in the evenings and sing while she strummed her ukulele. Singing while we worked, washing dishes, riding in the car, and sitting around the campfire are cherished memories. Mom loved to sing.

Mom made every holiday special, but Christmas was her favorite. She loved decorating, singing carols, dipping chocolates, cooking delicious food, and of course, celebrating Jesus. As our families grew, she continued the traditions with the grandkids. There was always plenty of happiness and a little bit of chaos with all those little ones running around, but she loved it!

As children, Mom taught us to love Jesus, live like Him, and love others freely. She served quietly cooking meals for the sick, delivering pies to make someone’s day a little brighter, buying clothes for newborns, and taking heart-shaped cakes to the elderly on Valentine’s Day. She truly loved everyone and saw them through Christlike eyes and a pure heart.

Dixie was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many roles—Primary Secretary, Young Women’s President, Stake Mother Education Leader, and Relief Society President. She and Gary served in the Logan Temple presidency with Elder Von J. Featherstone and later served an LDS mission to Palmyra, New York. Dixie loved to study the gospel and graduated from Utah State University LDS Institute in 1998. Many lives were touched by her service and love.

Dixie also enjoyed serving in the community in various capacities—seven years on the County Planning and Zoning Board, eight years on the Hyrum City Council, eight years as president of the Cache County Dairy Wives Association, and 25 years on the Hyrum City Pageant Committee. Dixie received the Hyrum City Community Service Award and was named Civic Mother of the Year by the Hyrum Chapter of American Mothers, Inc.

Over the years, Mom and Dad traveled across the United States and around the world, visiting many beautiful places. They cherished those fun experiences and memories, but their favorite place was always back home, surrounded by their family.

Through all the good times, Mom also had her fair share of trials facing each one with grit and grace. Every obstacle was met with determination, optimism and a belief that things would somehow work out. We never heard her complain. Instead, she would say, “This is what we have to deal with, and we will just have to make the best of it.” She chose joy!

We are all better for knowing our beautiful mother, Dixie. She taught us how to truly live! She has left her handprint forever on our hearts. Until we meet again…We Love You, Mom!

She is survived by her six children: Michael Gary (Barbara) of Hyrum; Shauna Applegarth (Mark) of Omaha, NE; Maria Nielsen (Clayton) of Hyrum; Linda Crockett (Craig) of Hyde Park; Jared (Tina) of Hyrum; and Latisha Hardy (Chad) of Brigham City; foster son Perry Willson (Irene) of Crystal, New Mexico; 23 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; Brothers Reed (Lois) Leishman, Roland (Ruth) Leishman, Seldon (Susan) Leishman; sister Annette (Lamar) Leishman; Brothers-in-law, Dean (Myrna-deceased) Nielsen, Gaylen (Arlene-deceased) Jensen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Arlene and Nedra; brother Joseph; and granddaughter, Raysha (Cory) Nielsen.

A viewing will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center Street, Logan, Utah, from 6:00–8:00 PM, and Friday, April 18, from 10:30–11:30 AM at the Hyrum Utah Stake Center. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon at the Hyrum Utah Stake Center, 600 South 200 East, Hyrum, Utah. Interment will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery.

Our family extends heartfelt thanks to Maple Springs for their loving care of Mom this past year.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net