Dixen to embark on two-year mission

By Sarah Nigbor

RIVER FALLS – Two years is a long time to be away from your family, but one River Falls High School graduate is about to embark on an opportunity to which he feels called.

Class of 2022 graduate Dane Dixen, a lifelong mem ber of Hudson’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be heading to Salt Lake City to perform service and mission work on behalf of the church.

“I got called and sent in my papers to go serve in Salt Lake City, Utah," Dixen said. “When I go and serve there, I will have a map or bound – aries that I'm set to serve in. Just the area there and half of Wyoming. I will be Spanish speaking so I'll have to make sure to dust up on my Span ish.”

Dixen will be going out with a mission companion to perform service work for others, to spread the Gospel and teach others what their church believes in and to try to help others as much as they can.

Dixen will be living in an apartment with his mis – sion companion and another group of missionaries. He is allowed voice chats or phone calls with his family once a week, which was a new ad – dition to the program during

the pandemic, he said. “I’ll be there for the full two years, so that way I can stay focused on what I'm do ing and I won’t get distracted or anything,” Dixen said about the limited contact.

Dixen said he will support himself financially while he's out there. The mission trip is not required by the church, but he felt it would be a great opportunity to help other people. He also went to Salt Lake City many years ago and thought it was a beautiful area.

“My parents converted about 17 years ago," Dix en said. “I was young and I didn't know very much then. I’ve been part of the church since I was really young. It’s been a great experience.”

Dixen admits that he's nervous to undertake this next step in life, but he’s also really excited.

"It's just crazy now that I just graduated recently," he said. "That's insane to me. Moving on to my next step in life. It's weird to think about because I'm finally growing up, but I'm excited because it will be a new, great experience in life.

“I’ve always loved, when I did Scouts and service projects for other people, I loved seeing the reaction on people’s faces when you do something nice for them. Helping others the best I could is the best way to ex- press my passion for my church and share the Gospel with others who might not be able to hear it.”

Once the two years are up, he’s not entirely sure what he will do. He’s been accepted to Brigham Young University, but deferred his enrollment so he could en – ter the missionary program. He’s planning to attend there, but a lot can change in two years. This will be his first full-blown mission, although he's completed many service projects. As he says goodbye to his high school days, he will fondly remember partici – pating in all four musicals, being a member of the state award-winning Forensics team for two years, and earn ing his Eagle Scout status. His standout memory is act – ing in this year's musical, “Matilda.”

“It was so great to every- one working together and be able to see everyone’s face again after COVID had just happened,” Dixen said.

Before heading to Salt Lake City, where his married sister Rayna lives, he will help dad Troy this summer at his business, Dixen Construction.