Dawn Marie (Melton) Vance (1958-2008)
VANCE, MELTON, JORDAN, ROSE
Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 11/2/2008 at 07:29:44
THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Sunday, November 2, 2008.
Dawn Marie (Melton) Vance, 49, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames in the presence of her loving husband. She had staged a courageous battle against cancer for 4 1/2 years.
Dawn was born on Dec. 10, 1958, in Des Moines to Gerald (Jake) and Violet Melton. She was the youngest of five children.
She attended St. Augustin School through eighth grade and graduated from Dowling High School in 1977. Dawn then attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in journalism and psychology.
Dawn loved her job as a lobbyist at the Iowa State Capitol for 10 years. She started her career in 1985 with the Iowa Utilities Board and served as their legislative liaison for 10 years. She then joined the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives in 1995 as director of government relations. Dawn was very honored when she was inducted as a Pioneer Lawmaker in March 2005, recognizing her 20 years of service to the legislative process. She was a member of St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Ames.
Dawn was such a gracious and lovely lady who was loved, admired and respected by all who knew her. Dawn was devoted to the love and happiness of her husband, children, family and many dear friends. She loved to host family dinners and create traditions for the holidays that will be carried on by her loving family. She took great pleasure in decorating for all the holidays. Dawn especially enjoyed the spring wildflowers that grew in the timber where she lived on the Vance family farm. She treasured summers at the family cabin in Minnesota, cheered for her college football teams and loved skiing in the winter
She always said, "she loved her life!"
So very many people loved Dawn because of her sweet personality, her warm and giving heart and her sense of humor. Dawn's positive attitude and love of life was so contagious. Her talent for acknowledging everyone's birthday and anniversary was exceptional.
Dawn leaves behind her loving husband of 24 years, Scott Vance; and her children whom she cherished, Nathan (17) and Natalie (13); her mother, Violet Melton, living at the Ramsey Home in Des Moines; her sisters, Dianne Melton and Debbie Jordan, her brother, Mark Melton, and her sister-in-law, Lise Melton, all of Des Moines; her in-laws Frank and Margaret Vance and sister-in-law Deb (John) Rose, all of Ames; and many nieces, nephew's, cousins, aunts, uncles and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Melton, and her brother, Greg Melton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care on 414 Lincoln Way in Ames. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. at the St. Augustin Catholic Church, 545 42nd St. in Des Moines.
Memorials may be directed to Nathan and Natalie's college fund at "College Savings Iowa."
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