Wilma "Dixie" Byrnes 88 of Ontonagon passed away Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Long Term Care Unit with her loving family and caring staff at her side.

Dixie was born in Ontonagon September 27, 1919 to Thomas & Ida (Putula) Niemi. She attended the Ontonagon Schools. Dixie worked as a teletype operator in Chicago prior to her marriage. In December of 1944, she married Bernard "Bud" Byrnes in Detroit, MI.

For 33 years, Dixie and Bud worked together in the tourism business. They owned and operated the Byrnes' Cabins, later known as the Mountain View Cabins. They eventually owned and operated the Silver Sands Motel in the Porcupine Mountains until their retirement.

Dixie was an excellent homemaker, loving mother and grandmother who loved cooking, gardening and enjoyed archery and bowling. She also enjoyed reading and especially loved poetry.

Dixie is survived by children Gary (Margaret) of Ontonagon, Greg (Susie) of Dallas, TX, Robert (Nancy) of Ontonagon, Barbara (Dennis) Forslund of Silver City and Bill (Jeanette) of Kemah, TX, her siblings Ray (Mary) Niemi of Ontonagon, Elnie (Bob) DeBard of Hemet, CA and Otto Niemi of Ontonagon, 8 Grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard, brothers Anselem, William and Sulo.

Spring inurnment will take place in the Holy Family Cemetery in Ontonagon. A memorial service is planned for a later date. Friends may view Dixie's obituary and leave condolences at canefuneralhome.com.