Dawn was born 02/01/1964 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was the middle child of three kids, one older sister Kristi Knaup, and one younger brother Eric Brokl. She played a larger role than just a “sister”. The family moved to Great Falls, Montana in 1974. She attended Centerville Public School and Charles M. Russell High School, graduating in the class of 1982. On 10/18/1990, she had a beautiful baby girl, Amber Peterson. Her whole life she devoted herself to raising Amber and everything that came with her.
In 1996, Dawn met Kevin Gray. They later married in February of 1998. Kevin took the role of dad and does it with pride. While Kevin and Dawn separated in 2016, they remained best friends and always there for one another. Anyone who knew Dawn knew her as a hard worker in whatever life brought to her. She was a group home employee for the developmentally disabled, she co-owned Rooster’s Treasure Coup, and she worked in the deli at Albertson’s on Tenth Avenue South. While working in the deli, she met Alan Miler. A little while after the separation from her marriage, they became more than friends. In August of 2016 they moved in together and started the rest of their lives together. They later tied the knot and became husband and wife. He brought back the light in her eyes. He was by her side through everything from day to day appointments, through a traumatic accident, collecting roosters, making jams, diamond paintings for all of those she loved, and Bingo.
Dawn is proceeded in death by niece Alisa Marie Brokl, Stepdad Donald J Smith, mother Janet Marion Hart and brother-in-law David Knaup.
She is survived by spouse Alan Miler, ex-husband/best friend Kevin Gray, daughter Amber the Great, sister Kristi Knaup, brother Eric Brokl (Barbara Brokl); nephews Wayne Stewart, Christian Brokl, Aaron Brokl, Sean Brokl, and Walter Knaup; Susan Knaup and Rylee Brokl; great nephews Clayton Brokl, Landyn Brokl, and Leon Stewart; and her great niece who she loved so much Faye Iorkighir; her best friends Marquita Ogawa, Sherry Polluck, and Monica Hasner.
Dawn’s service will be held on August 23, 2024 at 6pm at the First Church of the Nazarene located at 1727 2nd Avenue South, Great Falls, MT. A reception to follow at the VFW 1087 located at 4123 10th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT.
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