Dawn Nelson

Dawn Lee Nelson was born on August 2, 1959, in Roseau, MN to parents Jean Landin (Johnson) and Newman Nelson. She grew up with one sister, Kandy Bratton (Nelson) and was very close to her cousins and other relatives and was so proud of her Johnson roots.

Dawn lived in several cities throughout her life, but Thief River Falls was where she made her home and where she worked at the C’mon Inn for many years. Dawn had 2 children, Josh and Sarah, as well as several grandchildren, Christopher, Gabriel, Isaiah, Addison, Zachary, and Joshua Jr. Dawn loved being a grandmother more than anything and was proud of each one of her grandchildren. Some of her best memories were being with her kids and grandkids at the county fair and traveling back to Roseau for the Johnson family reunions. Dawn enjoyed sending holiday and birthday cards and writing letters just because she thought about you. She had a great heart and she made people feel special and important. Dawn enjoyed many other things in life but what made her the happiest was spending time with her family and her friends.

Dawn was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017 and again in 2019. She beat cancer both times, however she struggled with COPD for many years. The last weeks of her life were spent surrounded by those who loved her. Dawn passed away on June 1, 2024, peacefully at her home.

She is survived by her son, Josh Nelson and his children, Addison and Joshua Jr of Fargo, ND; daughter, Sarah Nelson and her children Christopher, Gabriel, Isaiah, and Zachary of Dilworth, MN; nephew, James Bratton of Thief River Falls, MN; brother-in-law, James Bratton of Grand Forks, ND; her dearest friends, Cindy H., Patty S., Cindy B., and Renee G., as well as many other special friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Newman; sister, Kandy; brother, Newlyn; nephew, Christopher Scholin; grandparents and many other relatives.

A celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Thief River Falls on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 1pm.