Lois Dawson

Hawarden, Iowa ~ Lois Jean (Harris) Dawson, 89, of Hawarden, died on Monday, August 10, 2015 at her residence in Hawarden, with her family by her side.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden with Rev. Barb Joy officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Riverside Cemetery at Akron, Iowa. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. The Porter Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com. The family requests memorials be directed to Calliope Village or the Hawarden Public Library.
Lois Jean was born in Akron, Iowa on September 14, 1925, as the oldest daughter of Orin Harris and Louise “Birdie” (Bennett) Harris, and grew up on a farm two miles southeast of Chatsworth. After graduation from Hawarden High School in 1943, she received a teaching credential from Wayne State Teacher’s College, and taught first grade for one year in 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 in the Joy Circle of 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, California, James Douglas (Wallace Bowling) Dawson of Chicago, Illinois, and Nancy Lynn (Randy) Devaney of Castle Rock, Colorado; and her siblings: Stuart Harris of Akron, Iowa, Ruth Esbeck of Hawarden, Iowa, Leland Harris of Akron, Iowa, 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.

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ,Thursday, August 13, 2015
Hawarden United Methodist Church
803 13th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Prayer Service

7:00 p.m. ,Thursday, August 13, 2015
Hawarden United Methodist Church
803 13th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023

Funeral Service

10:30 a.m. ,Friday, August 14, 2015
Hawarden United Methodist Church
803 13th Street Hawarden, Iowa 51023