Dixie Lea Mathews

Dixie Lea (Hansen) Mathews, age 67, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Dixie was born on January 25, 1958, in Greenville to her parents, Clarence and Anne Hansen. She was raised in Stanton, Michigan, and graduated from Central Montcalm Adult Education in 1984. She later earned an Associate of Arts in Bible from Shalom Bible College in 2000.

Dixie married Michael Petersen in 1976 and settled in Sheridan, Michigan, where they raised their two children until relocating to Marlette, Michigan, where they served as house parents for Teen Ranch from 1990 to 1997. They later moved to St. Helen, Michigan, where they were active in leading and supporting the youth program at St. Helen Assembly of God.

Dixie also worked at Frigidaire in Greenville, MI, ran an in-home daycare in Sheridan, and served as an EMT specialist for Montcalm County EMS for several years. Dixie was an active member of Sheridan Assembly of God, where she served as a youth leader and Missionettes leader for many years. Wherever she lived, Dixie remained actively involved in her local church community.

In 2012, Dixie married Preston Mathews and lived in Grand Rapids. Together, they attended Generations Assembly of God in Walker.

Dixie loved to sing, write, cross-stitch, play cards, drink coffee, and spend time with her family, especially her grandkids. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she carried a strong passion for serving the Lord and caring for others.

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Anne Hansen, and her Son-in-law, Jeff McMillan.

Dixie will be missed by her husband, Preston Mathews; children, Melissa McMillan of Fort Worth, Texas and Anthony (Megan) Petersen of Freeport, Michigan; Grandchildren, Christopher McMillan, Jonathan Burns, Kailani (Jon) Hatcher, Brianna Burns, Xander McMillan, Addison Petersen, and Micah Petersen; Great Grandchildren Anthony Burns, Alice McMillan, and Emily Burns, Siblings Dave (Sara) Hansen and Diana Hansen, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Dixie’s life will be planned in the near future.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Dixie’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.