Dixie Lee Barnett

Dixie Lee Barnett passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, at the age of 87 in Louisburg, Kansas.

She was born June 9, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas, to parents Thomas Jefferson Anglen and Esther Mae Mabrey Anglen. She was child number eight in a group of twelve siblings. She enjoyed growing up in the Fontana, Kansas, school district where she graduated valedictorian of her class in 1957.

Dixie married Dale Edward Koontz Jr on March 23, 1958 (divorced in 1988). She worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital in the supply office for several years. They were blessed with two children, Christine and Brian. While home with her two children, Dixie attended Johnson County Community College where she achieved her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.

In the 70s, Dixie took on a new career as a travel agent. She enjoyed working for a locally owned travel agency in Osawatomie for years. Later, she became the owner of that travel agency until she retired in 2002.

On January 28, 1993, Dixie married Lloyd Barnett. After retirement, they traveled the United States in their fifth wheel, enjoying each place they stayed and made many friends along the way. A particular enjoyment of theirs was Indian bead work on leather. They made the most amazing purses, moccasins, hat bands,belts and other items.

After traveling, Dixie resided for several years in Mound City, Kansas, and later Paola, Kansas. After Lloyd’s death in 2023, Dixie moved to Assisted Living in Louisburg Kansas. She enjoyed the community there immensely.

Dixie is survived by her two children Christine Koontz Sharp (Bradley) of Stilwell, Kansas and Brian Koontz of St. Joseph, Missouri, and her three grandchildren Anna Sharp Vandervelden (Noah) of Brookside/KC, Missouri, Derek Sharp (Nina) of Stilwell, Kansas, and Jessica Koontz of Columbia, Missouri.

Dixie is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Barnett, her parents Tom and Esther, her brothers Raymond and Bob, and sisters Evelyn, Halle, Norma, Wanda, June and Judae.

We were blessed to have the best mother and grandmother of all time, and she will be missed greatly by those who knew her.

Rest in peace, Dixie Lee.

Thank you to everyone who has been so grateful to reach out. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer’s research: donorservices.Alzheimer's Association