of Little Rock, AR

November 30, 1937 - January 3, 2026

Our Dixie Dee (Thompson) Burnard, went home to heaven on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the age of 88. Little Dixie was the second child born to Laurel and Verna (Guest) Thompson in Hancock, Wisconsin on November 30, 1937. After graduating from Brandon High School in 1956, she attended Cosmetology School in Ripon. She met the late Carl Burnard while working in Mauston and they were married in 1959 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. The couple had two children, Carla and Jeffrey.

Stoughton became home for Dixie as she raised her children. Skaalen Sunset Home provided her with a job that led to her operating and managing the Beauty Shop, expanding it twice! This served as the perfect setting to allow the Spirit of Joy within her to overflow: a smile, a hug, a laugh, a cry, an encouraging word, a prayer for all who entered.

Her love overflowed from her children to her six grandchildren, and then to her 12 great-grandchildren. She adored them and spent her time involved in their lives from diapers to homework, to shopping and of course to their sports, and there were lots of sports: basketball, BMX, soccer, barrel racing, football, gymnastics and softball. She taught love, patience, truth and the Word of God. She showed the importance of family and the importance of gratitude.

Cooking was her love language. Continual invitations to come over or drop off a meal were offered. Anything she made was done with love and tasted wonderful. Sharing a recipe didn't mean you'd get the same result. There was just something about her touch that made it all the more tasty and comforting.

Her front porch was for sitting and reading and sharing a conversation with anyone who came by. She knew her neighbors and their pets and they knew her dogs, cats, ferrets, squirrels and birds, she loved animals.

Dixie could be relied on to help, to encourage, to share God's Word, and to pray. She was trustworthy, full of love and joy and people enjoyed her very presence. She fully lived her life to be a Prayer Warrior.

Above all, Dixie share Jesus and lived out her life hand-in-hand with Him. Dixie is survived by her daughter, Carla (Peter) Emanuel of Little Rock, Arkansas and Jeff (Angella) Burnard of Stoughton. Grandchildren include Jennifer Emanuel, Benjamin (Katherine) Emanuel, and Abigail Emanuel and fiancé, Daniel Fiedorek all of Little Rock, and Brock (Jill) Burnard, Lucas (Abigail) Burnard, and Tessa (Andrew) Coon. Twelve great-grandchildren; Colt Bearden, and Walker and Heidi Emanuel all of Little Rock, Briar and Aiden Burnard, Arabella, Gianna, and Lincoln Burnard, and Raelyn, Logyn, Madisyn and Noah Coon; sisters-in-law, Beth Burnard and Diane Thomspon and many nieces and nephews she considered her own.

Dixie is preceded in death by her parents, her mother-and father-in-law, ex-husband, Carl, brothers-in-law, her sisters, Deborah and Donna, brother, Dennis, sister-in-law, Charlotte and her great nephews, Joseph and Andrew Burch.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Christ the King Community Church, 401 W. Main Street, Stoughton, WI. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 with the memorial service beginning at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and or your local Humane Society.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com