Mercedes Unger

Mercedes "Dixie" Unger, age 74, of Sauk Centre, died Monday, March 17, 2008 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Wilfred Theisen officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25th.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 6:30 p.m. and the Christian Mothers will pray at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Dixie was born on August 29, 1933 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Albert and Genevieve (Kranz) Thyen. She grew up in Minneapolis. She was a graduate of the Academy of Holy Angels High School in Richfield, Minnesota and the nursing program at the College of St. Catherine, Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a public health nurse for the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Home School. Dixie was a member of the Christian Mothers, Gradatim and she was on the board of Rural Stearns Faith in Action.

On August 3, 1957 she married William "Bill" Unger at Resurrection Catholic Church in Minneapolis. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2007. Dixie loved gardening, traveling, reading, and education. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She was very dedicated in her role as a mother and grandmother.Dixie loved spending time with her family at Sauk Centre and up north at Gull Lake. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's events. She happily attended Grandparent's Day at their schools and their theatrical, musical, and sporting events. She always was there for her children and grandchildren.Dixie also treasured her extended family. She was a regular attendee at the Kranz reunions and often hosted family members in her home. Dixie loved visiting her brother, Dr. DeLane Thyen, his wife Catherine, and their family in California. She enjoyed his annual visits to Minnesota, too. They were very close siblings and dear friends, also. Dixie appreciated and valued her friendships. She looked forward to birthday club luncheons and playing bridge, and attending other events. She was thoughtful and caring, and remembered others with cards, phone calls, and gifts. She was a kind, compassionate woman.Beloved wife of William H. for 50 years. Loving, dedicated mother of five children. Proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Unger; and by her children; Mary (John) Henderson, Ann (Michael) Lindberg, Dr. Kevin (Sandi) Unger, Tom (Susan) Unger, and Kelly (Tim) Dowse. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Tom, Nick, and Joe Henderson; Ashley, Emily, and Kaitlin Lindberg; Ali, Jack, and Jimmy Unger; and Lauren, Natalie, Alyssa, and Will Unger. She was the loving sister of Dr. DeLane Thyen.

Preceded in death by parents, Albert and Genevieve Thyen, and brother, Michael Kevin.

Serving as casket bearers will be Dr. Kevin Unger, Tom Unger, Dr. DeLane Thyen, Michael Thyen, John Henderson, Michael Lindberg and Tim Dowse.

Memorials may be given to Holy Family School, the College of St. Catherine's Nursing Program, or the Sauk Centre Library.