Mildred O. Dawson's Obituary
Mildred “Millie” O. (Sander) Dawson left this world on January 22, 2017 at the Alverno – Clinton and is enjoying peace and tranquility with our Heavenly Father.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 am, Thursday, January 26, 2017 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory. She and her husband will be buried together at Springdale Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the funeral home.
Mildred was the youngest of nine children born to Lillian O. (Thompson) and August W. Sander. She was born October 20, 1922. She had many good memories and stories from her childhood, especially spending summers with her sister Dorothy and excelling at “boys’ sports”. Although she was as beautiful as a movie star with the voice of a songbird, she was a competitive, fun-loving Tom Boy.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Harry G. Dawson, New Year’s Eve 1942 in California; he preceded her in death on April 26, 2016. They were married for 73 years. During The War, she was a “Rosie the Riveter”. After WWII, she returned to her hometown of Clinton where she had the hardest job in the world; raising four children.
When her youngest child reached school age, she and her husband switched positions in life. Harry retired and stayed home and she dove into the workforce and became a successful Real Estate Broker. When her time came to retire, they traveled and made their homes in Clinton, Wisconsin and Las Vegas.
Mildred was a very talented musician and singer, she was one of the four original members of the “Clintones” and “Sweet Adeline” singing and harmonizing groups. Her bass voice was soulful. She also enjoyed playing the organ, ukulele and harmonica.
A few of her hobbies included upholstery, archery, auctions, bowling, golfing, playing cards with her bridge and 500 clubs and sports of any kind. She also enjoyed time spent going to the casino.
She was a member or volunteer of many organizations, including: Clinton Women’s Club, Clinton Moose Club, Antique Car Club, Antique Motorcycle, Chief Blackhawk Motorcycle Club, “Pink Ladies” Mercy Auxiliary, Treasurer of Mercy Auxiliary, Clinton Board of Realtors, PTA’s and Room Mother (every year for every child), Den Mother for Boy Scouts, Helper with Girl Scouts and Humane Society Fundraising.
Above everything else in Mildred’s life was her love for her children, she was so proud of them and they brought her so much joy.
Mildred is survived by her four children: Douglas (Tiffany) Dawson of Midland, Michigan, Vicki (Vincent) Klyn of Pella, Iowa, Pamela (Richard) Smith of Clinton, Iowa and Brent (Laura) Dawson of Aurora, Illinois, five grandchildren: Amy, Brad, Bailey, Nathan and Nicole; four great-grandchildren: Carson, Parker, Sydney and Harper; one brother: Floyd (Harriet) Sander of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; one sister-in-law: Charlene Dawson of Cottage Gove, Oregon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her husband, Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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