Dawson, Lois Jean 1925-2015

DAWSON, HARRIS, BENNETT

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/31/2017 at 17:29:38

HAWARDEN, Iowa | Lois Jean (Harris) Dawson, 89, of Hawarden died Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at her residence with her family by her side.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Hawarden, with the Rev. Barb Joy officiating. Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday in Riverside Cemetery, Akron, Iowa. Visitation will begin at noon today, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden.

Lois Jean was born in Akron, Iowa, on Sept. 14, 1925, as the oldest daughter of Orin Harris and Louise "Birdie" (Bennett) Harris. She grew up on a farm two miles southeast of Chatsworth, Iowa. After graduating from Hawarden High School in 1943, she received a teaching credential from Wayne State Teacher's College. She taught first grade for one year at the old Central Building in Hawarden.

On June 21, 1946, she married James Ross Dawson of Hawarden. The couple lived on a farm north of Hawarden and had three children, Deborah, James Douglas, and Nancy. Lois Jean resumed teaching in 1959, received her B.A. degree from Westmar College in 1969, and was a beloved fourth-grade teacher at Hawarden Elementary until her retirement in 1988.

Following divorce in 1978, Lois Jean moved from the farm into Hawarden. She became involved in a variety of community activities and was dedicated to the development and promotion of Calliope Village for many years. In 1992, she shared the Hawarden Citizen of the Year Award with her friend, JaNohn Wasser. In 2010, they were both honored with the President's Award for volunteerism by the Chamber of Commerce.

Lois Jean was unwavering in her support of Hawarden, and was a strong advocate for preservation of historic building, hospital renovation, and enhancing library services, as evidenced by her service on the Library Board of Trustees since 1979. She was a member of P.E.O. for 63 years, and was active with the Joy Circle at the United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, M.I.C., Chamber of Commerce, Big Sioux River Historical Society, and her Neighborhood Club.

An enthusiastic traveler, Lois Jean enjoyed trips throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico with her family and friend, Lanny Booth. Family came first for Lois Jean, and for 37 years she recorded Harris family history at their annual reunions. She will be remembered as a loving mother, who placed a high value on education and the importance of friends, family, and community.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Deborah Jean (John) Polich of Encinitas, Calif., James Douglas (Wallace Bowling) Dawson of Chicago, Ill., and Nancy Lynn (Randy) Devaney of Castle Rock, Colo.; and her siblings, Stuart Harris of Akron, Ruth Esbeck of Hawarden, Leland Harris of Akron, David Reese Harris of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Orin Harris, Jr. of Forest City, Iowa.

Lois Jean was preceded in death by a brother, Morton Harris, who died in childhood.

The family requests memorials be directed to Calliope Village or the Hawarden Public Library.

Sioux City Journal
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Sioux City, Iowa