Mary Ann Dawson

Mary Ann Dawson, 92, passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, August 16, 2021 at the Caldwell Parrish – McCalley Chapel in Adel. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Mary Ann was born on July 30, 1929 to Alfred and Anna (Forrett) Smith on a farm southwest of Van Meter. She graduated from Van Meter Consolidated Schools in 1947. In 1948, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Eddie Dawson. To this union four children were born, Dennis, Denise, Debra and Deanna. Mary Ann took great pride in doing work as an office assistant for a tax preparer. Music was a passion of Mary Ann’s. She was proud that she sang at the homecoming for her cousin, Bob Feller, at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, for KRNT Radio and at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium. She enjoyed traveling, seeing the countryside and many of those adventures were enjoyed through camping at state and national parks. She and Eddie were some of the original “snow birds”. Her sense of humor was vibrant and she knew how to laugh. She believed laughter was the best medicine in life. She enjoyed cooking and hosting family gatherings in her home, where friends and family knew they were in for an amazing meal. She truly loved her family and knew in her heart, as she would say, “I’ve got the best”. Mary Ann is survived by her son, Dennis Dawson; her daughters, Denise (Vern) Rebik, Debra (Harry) French, and Deanna (Greg) Smith; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie and her parents, Albert and Anna, and her nine siblings. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com