Dixie Lee (Eakin) Shank, 80, died November 18, 2022 at her home in Hutchinson.

She was born July 5, 1942 in Little River, KS, the daughter of Matilda "Tillie" (Zorn) Brown. Her beloved Aunt Mary (Zorn) Mog was her primary caregiver during much of her childhood.

She was a graduate of the Dominican School of Nursing and was a Registered Nurse and professional nursing educator throughout Kansas. She was the first director of the initial hospice program in Barton County, Serenity Hospice, which is now Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice and had been employed at the Pawnee County Health Department, Larned State Hospital, Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, and was Director of the Behavioral Health Unit in Greensburg, KS.  She was a member of the Fort Larned Belles, Fort Larned Chapter and Kansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); a charter member of the initial Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Larned where she was chosen their "Girl of the Year" in 1980 and in 1981 was their "Valentine Queen"; she held all offices of the chapter as she progressed. She was a member of the Dominican-St. Rose Alumni, and associate member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Hutchinson where she was a member of the Doers Sunday School Class. She served on the board of The Center For Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend and the Pawnee County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. The Larned Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) selected her as "Woman of the Year" in 1981. She was an avid reader, swimmer, water skier, and loved KU Basketball.

On September 9, 1961 she married Wendell Eakin in Larned; he preceded her in death on February 7, 1979.

On January 6, 2001 she married Dwight Shank; he survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Randy Eakin, Scottsdale, Arizona, Chad (Jeannie Kolb) Eakin, Larned; a brother, Terry Huff, Kinsley; four grandchildren, Brock (Caitlyn) Eakin, Great Bend, Shabree Eakin, Larned, Andrew (Callie) Eakin, Shawnee, Kansas, Andrea (Austin) Chapman, Tulsa, Oklahoma; three great grandchildren, Elli Eakin, Crete Eakin, Evelyn Chapman; two nephews, Josh Huff, Larned, and Blake Huff, Denver, Colorado.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, with Rev. Dr. Kim Biery presiding. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with family present from 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Graveside service will 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 21, 2022 at Larned Cemetery with Pastor Ryan Webster presiding.

Memorials may be given to Trinity United Methodist Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.