Dixie Arlene Boone

Sep 16, 1948 — Jul 1, 2026

La Cygne, Kansas

Dixie Arlene Boone, age 77, La Cygne, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). From the beginning of her diagnosis all the way to the end of her life she fought with dignity, pride, strength, and a will to live that was unmatched. ALS took many things, but one thing is for sure, it never took her spirit.

Dixie was born on September 16, 1948, in La Cygne, Kansas, the daughter of Paul and Edith Elizabeth Cohee Ross. La Cygne is where she would spend all 77 years of her life. Growing up, graduating from La Cygne High School, working, and raising her family. Dixie was united in marriage to Jerry Boone in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 10th, 1965. They would spend 51 years together till his death on October 15th, 2016.

As a young girl Dixie ran the printing press for the La Cygne Journal and mowed many yards. She worked for Ross’ Bus Service for many years and cleaned houses on the side most of her life. Dixie and Jerry opened the Family Café in 1991, and that’s where she would continue to work up until her ALS diagnosis in the spring of 2025.  

Dixie wore many hats. Mother, Grandmother, wife, sister, friend, homemaker, caretaker, cook, and everyone’s “go to” for life lessons are just a few. Her passion was taking care of her very large family. She also enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, dancing, having drinks, watching her kids and grandkids compete in their sports, watching the Kansas City Chiefs, and rooting for the Kansas Jayhawk basketball team.

She leaves behind a legacy, not measured in years, but in the countless lives she impacted with her generosity, strength, and heart that will be felt for generations to come. An extraordinary woman with the upmost epitome of strength and love.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry; a son, Luke Allan Boone; and two brothers, Herb Pemberton, and Dickie Ross. Dixie is survived by three sons, Patrick Boone (Judy), Jerry Paul Boone, and Richard Boone (Laurie); four daughters, Tammy Weitman (Danny), Juley Isenhower (J.J.), Lisa Elmore (David), and Tiffany VanNorman; two brothers, Larry Ross and Kenneth Ross; two sisters-in-law, Kay Ross and Barbara Pemberton-Nunnemacher, 29 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

In honor of Dixie, wear a KU shirt or royal blue shirt to her services. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!! 

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the La Cygne Christian Church. Inurnment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, La Cygne. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner Children's Hospital or Dixie Boone Memorial. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

(Published in the Linn County Journal on July 2, 2026.)