Dawn Smith

Dawn M. Smith, age 74, of 821 Newbury St., Ripon, died peacefully at home to be with her Heavenly Maker, with family at her side, Wednesday evening, June 12, 2002.

She was born April 27, 1928, in Marshfield, a daughter to Harlow and Ella (Yanke) Hanson. She graduated from high school in Marshfield. On November 19, 1949, she married Lyle L. Smith in Chili, WI. Dawn was a housewife, and enjoyed working with her flowers and gardening.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Lyle Smith; daughters, Linda (Lee) Stellmacher, and Cynthia Theune and her close friend, John Huseboe, all of Ripon; 6 grandchildren, Jed, Cory (Julie), Brock (Heather), and Wyatt Stellmacher, Travis and Trent Theune; 3 great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Jacob, and Alexis Stellmacher; brother, Verland (Beradine) Hanson of Iola; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; close niece, Elaine Lundt in 1999; and son, Terry in 2000.

A graveside service for Dawn M. Smith will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2002, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ripon with Reverend David Busker officiating. In keeping with Dawn’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.

“I’M FREE”
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day to laugh,
to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life has been full, I savored much,
good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
that God wanted me now. He set me free.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com