Dixie Yarges
October 21, 2014
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Service Details
Dixie Lee (Kelce) Yarges was born January 11, 1943 in Des Moines, Iowa to Earl Raymond and Elizabeth (Smith) Kelce. Dixie and David Yarges were married on December 31, 1959. She graduated with a nursing diploma from Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She then received her Bachelor and then Master of Health Care Administration. During her nursing career she was a critical care nurse and director of multiple health care clinics. Dixie went on to be the Sr. Vice President of Nursing at Rogers Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas. She wrote multiple grants to open a free health care clinic called Poplar House in Rogers, Arkansas which also provided winter coats and boots to poor children throughout Arkansas.
Dixie finally retired after putting in several years as the director of 20 residency clinics at the University of South Carolina. She eventually settled in Kansas City, Missouri where she resided for 10 years. Dixie was a member of Good Shepard Catholic Church in Smithville, Missouri. She loved to shop and had a great time driving her shiny red convertible Mustang.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Yarges; her parents, Earl Raymond and Elizabeth Kelce. Dixie passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Dixie is survived by her son, Paul (Lori) Yarges; daughters, Shelli Yarges, Parris (Michael) Yarges-Pickle, and Elizabeth (Richard) Branch; brothers, Dennis (Gail) Kelce and Danny (Nicole) Kelce. She was proud of her eleven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
There will be a gathering in Dixie’s memory from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Parc Event Center, 5374 NE 12th Avenue, Pleasant Hill, IA.
On-line condolences to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mary Selby
10/26/2014
I worked as a RN for Dixie in the Neighborhood Clinics starting in the mid 1980's. I then applied for an assistant nurse manager job and didn't get it. Later on, the person she did hire turned out to be a bad thing, and so the job came open again. This time she hired me and I never did let her live it down! She was more than a boss, she was a mentor and a friend. I told her things that I had never told anyone else before, and still she accepted me. She encouraged me to go back to school, and when we first returned to Drake together, David had a serious heart attack, followed by other health issues. She told me after that, that she was going to move south with him, so that he could play golf and be happy for whatever time he had left. She was like an older sister to me, helped me hone my management and shopping skills! I remember one time she did get mad at me. I went over her head unintentionally, and boy was she ticked off. The scolding wasn't as bad as the feeling that I had disappointed her.I had so much respect for her. She was so great at analizing things. I saw her look at problems in the clinic and just sort them out. I truely believe that she could have made it as a big time consultant. I told her last year that I wished she was still working so I could have her come help us problem-solve at our clinics. She would have figured it all out in a snap. I have never worked with anyone else like her before or after. We had so many great times, I can still hear her laugh. I visited her a couple of times in Arkansas as I have relatives in Little Rock. I never have driven through that area since without thinking about her. When my son Brent was killed in a car accident Dixie and David showed right up. They picked up my 'pain in the rear' dad from the airport. I was so glad she was here. It is kind of a foggy time for me and I don't know if I thanked her for that, but she wouldn't have thought poorly of me if I didn't, because that's the type of person she was.We had the type of friendship where we didn't have to see each other often, to feel like we hadn't been apart. I learned so much from her and feel so blessed to have had her in my life. She was a once in a lifetime friend. David was the perfect compliment and funny as all get out. He was so nice to me, I never felt like he just tolerated me because I was Dixie's friend. I hadn't seen her in almost a year and was shocked to tears when david died, as I had no idea what was happening to her. I am glad that I got to spend some time with her after that. I can have no regrets, because I know 2 things: 1. Dixie wouldn't have wanted to live like that and 2. She just missed David too much to stay on this earth without him. When I found out that it wouldn't be long on Monday, I said a prayer for him to be there to meet her. I know they are up there together now. He has probably found the greatest fishing hole, and she is shopping to her heart's content. It is so hard to give up wonderful people like your parents, but how blessed we all were to have had them in our lives! They will be remembered....
Chuck Gillum
10/25/2014
So sorry for your loss
Shelly Bergan
10/24/2014
Dear Shelli, Paris, and Paul,
I am so sorry for the loss of your parents. I have so many fond memories of you and your family from "back in the day".
Lots of fun and love in your home Shell...even though we were ornry. I miss you Shell and cannot wait to play catch up when me meet up, it's been quite some time. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Ann Branch
10/23/2014
Dear Beth and Richard, my heart hurts for your grief but it also swells for the pride I have in both of you. Y'all took such sweet loving care of Dixie while she was still living near y'all. She is so happy now and so very proud of y'all for all that you have done. God says we are made whole again once we step into Heaven and she is dancing with the love of her life, David. Beth, you know if you ever need me, I'll be there. Love y'all so much.
Cherrine Wheeler
10/23/2014
Every time I think of Dixie, she has a smile on her face. She loved life. She loved her David and she loved her family. The times we went to the YMCA together were always special "girl" trips. We caught up on each others families and the local events. She made me laugh. I'll never forget the "Smithville Bomb Scare", in which she had parked her little red convertible and then took her parking permit out of the car to go shopping. She bought me my first pecan waffle at waffle house. I'll have one today, in her memory, and instead of tears, I'll try to smile, because she is with her David and she's smiling back. I miss you both.
Craig Tideback
10/23/2014
So sorry for your loss Shelley.
Jeri Fontanini
10/22/2014
Shelli, Paul, Parris & Beth.
Dixie's life was full of loving deeds. She was always so thoughtful of everyone's needs. Today & Tomorrow the rest of my life, I will always remember the Dear Friend she was to me. Godspeed!!!