Mary Ann Dawson

Mary Ann Dawson, 97 years old, long time Boone County resident, passed away in Union IL on July 13, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She’s now in the arms of her Lord and Savior.

She was born in Kolin, LA to Anton and Mary (Kliment) Fencl on September 18, 1924, the last of four kids. She grew up on a farm that her parents homesteaded, and said that she had fond memories of helping her mother around the farm, especially with the animals. She worked various housekeeping/nanny jobs around the area until World War II, when she joined the ranks of “Rosie the Riveter,” working at the airfield in Alexandria, LA assembling wire harnesses for the airplanes. She met her future husband, Robert Dawson, at a dance there for enlisted men and people from the air field. They kept in contact by mail and later married in Rockford, IL. She and Robert lived on the family farm in Caledonia, IL and raised six children there. Besides raising children, Mary helped her husband on the dairy farm, raised laying hens and sold the eggs, plus ducks to slaughter and sell for holiday dinners, as well as gardening and preserving to feed her family.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Robert, her parents, siblings Agnes Walmuth, James Fencl and Hattie Fencl, sons Ray and Robert Dawson, and son-in-law Clarence Van Rees and grandson Paul Coil. She is survived by children, Betty (Horst) Ollnau, Bess (Mike) Haan, Janet (Kevin) Hale and Warren Dawson; grandchildren Vicki Martinez, Jeffrey (Cathy) Dawson, Matt Haan, Evan (Molly) Haan, Andy (Noelle) Haan, Seth (Angela) Haan, Sandra Walsh, Raeann (Jeremy) Wiedow and Justin Dawson, and 22 great-grandchildren. Niece Mary (James) Layssard, beloved Schnauzer, Peanut.

There will be a funeral service Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 12:00 P.M. at New Beginnings Fellowship, 6413 Logan Ave. Suite 201 Belvidere, IL 61008. There will be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Interment in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Poplar Grove, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.belviderefh.com.