It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dixie Cleone (Sitts) Matt, 87, of Madison, WI, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Dixie was an ambitious, curious, and determined woman who lived a life of dignity and purpose.

Born on February 11, 1939, in Bloomington, WI, to George and Delphine (Ohlert) Sitts, Dixie was raised in Bloomington and Lancaster. From a young age, she focused her energy on hard work, family, community service, and leadership. Following her 1957 graduation from Lancaster High School, she moved to Madison to work for the Oscar Mayer Co., where she worked in data collection using the era’s new IBM computers.

Dixie married Paul Matt on April 25, 1959, and together they raised four active children in Cuba City and Potosi. Dixie worked in the local community at several supper clubs, including Elmo, developed recipes, menus and managed food service for the Potosi School System and neighboring communities and at UW-Platteville. Dixie also co-owned a catering business. Dixie was dedicated to her family and enjoyed planning family camping trips, traveling adventures and canoeing down the Grant and Platte Rivers.

In 1994, Dixie and Paul moved to Waunakee, where she worked at a local bank and as an administrative coordinator at Owens & Minor. Dixie who took immense pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved organizing gatherings for family and friends, many times for no reason at all. A passionate photographer, avid researcher of family history and genealogy, and accomplished gardener, she filled her life with creativity. As a talented seamstress and quilter, she crafted spectacular quilts, donating many to Project Linus for children in Madison hospitals. She was a dedicated community member, serving as a Girl Scout Leader, UCC Church Teacher, and as an active member in the Homemakers Club, Lioness Club International, Red Hat Quilters, and Garden Club. Dixie and Paul loved traveling throughout the US and to Europe and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with family in April 2024.

Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her brothers, Stanley and Jim Sitts; and her sister, Ila Maughan. She was the beloved mother of Peter Matt (Onalaska, WI), Susan (John) O'Neill (Estes Park, CO), Ellen (Frederick) Bassett (Glen Ellyn, IL), and Anita (Marty) Cornell (Waunakee, WI). Dixie cherished her ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, taking great joy in their activities and adventures. Vibrant, dynamic, and full of life, Dixie will be dearly missed.

Our family wishes to thank the staff at The Sonnet and Agrace Hospice for the loving care they provided.

Service Information:

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee (5763 Co Rd Q). Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will follow at 4:00 pm at Hillside Cemetery on Lincoln Road in Lancaster, WI.

A Special Request: In honor of Dixie’s love for her flower gardens, the family kindly requests that attendees wear colorful clothing to celebrate the bright, happy colors she loved so much.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral Service 

5785 Hwy Q Waunakee,WI