M. Dawn Fusselman, age 73, passed away at home in Helena, MT, on June 10, 2013. She lived a full life in many different states with her husband Lloyd A. Fusselman who preceded her in death in 2004. She is survived by daughter Kris and son in law Jeff Fife, granddaughters, Holly and Jennifer Fife and her sister Yvonne (Joe) Neville and brother, Ross (Carole) Larson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Violet Larson of Wahoo, NE; sister, Jean Clark; granddaughter Kaitlyn Nicole Fife; as well as many loved aunts, uncles, cousins, nephew, nieces, and friends.
She was born on June 6th in 1940 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta and later moved to Nebraska to a family farm. She received her RN degree at Immanuel/Midland College in Omaha, NE. She was married on October 7, 1962 to Lloyd A. Fusselman of Page NE. Dawn enjoyed cooking and outdoor activities with her family and loved music all of her life in various capacities both as a performer and a spectator. She collected people of all shapes and sizes and quickly made them her friends. Dawn was a fan of sports, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Nebraska Cornhuskers and all of her granddaughter’s soccer and basketball games.
She provided inspiration to many with her ability to persevere with grace and good humor. She loved and was loved. Her journey was not easy but ended in victory…a victory granted by the Savior she loved.
A service will be held to memorialize Dawn and celebrate her life on Saturday June 15th at 10 am, at Touchmark, 915 Saddle Dr. In lieu of flowers, Dawn requested that memorials be sent to Helena Food Share, 1616 Lewis St. Helena, MT 59601 or to the Whole Health Outreach, 180 County Road 700 Ellington, MO 63638. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dawn, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 15, 2013
Touchmark
915 Saddle Dr.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 15, 2013
Touchmark
915 Saddle Dr.
Helena, Montana 59601
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John & Sherri Staats says
We are sad and broken hearted by the passing of this gracious and wonderful lady. We got to know her through John’s employment at Touchmark. She always had a smile for you. Her sense of humor was priceless. Heaven now has another special angel there. We will miss you Dawn. Thank you for enriching our lives. God Bless your family in their time of sorrow and grief.
Käthe W. Crum says
Dawn was the closest friend that my husband Milton and I had during our five years in Touchmark. Dawn and I spent many hours together. Weather permitting, we sat outside talking, laughing, and enjoying each others company. No matter her own problems, Dawn was always concerned about me and other residents.
When I had to leave Touchmark last summer because of a stroke, Dawn was a firm support for Milton during those difficult days. With Milton’s help, I tried to keep up with Dawn by email and telephone. Dawn even came to visit me in Aspen Gardens Assisted Living where I now live. But it could not be the same as it was when we were in the same building, being with each often. Knowing that she is no longer there leaves a void in my heart.
Patty Delauter says
Dawn is a dear friend and I am deeply saddened by her passing. I was blessed to get to know Dawn through St Paul’s United Methodist Church over 5 years ago. She became an integral part of my life. Dawn was there for me when my husband passed away in 2011 and other tribulations in my life. She’s the most thoughtful and loving person I have ever known. I will miss her sitting next to me at church but know she will be there in spirit. Dawn loved everything about St Paul’s and the members loved her. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Alene Asher-Hietbrink says
Dawn was a Lady in every sense of the word. She loved like no other. I will miss having her in my life, but she passed on her graciuos attitude to her daughter Kris who is even more so grcious. Dawn I hope you know how loved you were, and I hope you took it Home with you.
Laura Asher says
I got to know Dawn while she was in Page. Dawn inspired others with her grace and courage.
Lisa R. Neville-Segura says
My Auntie Dawn was an amazing and enlightened woman. She was a quietly, consistantly and steady manifestation of Spirit. Dawn handled adversity and pain with Grace and Faith. She persevered through all of this life’s trials and pushed it forward, consistantly, gracefully rebounding and blessing the rest of us with her resilience and her presence.
I always felt connected to her because she took the time to be informed about her nieces. I realized, too late, that she was present and really there for us. I have often wondered and worried over the distance between us all, and wished for a closer proximity which would allow for a continuity of relationship. I value her;all three of us do because we know just how deeply our mother, her sister, adored and respected her. Dawn was a woman of Grace and Faith…timeless…an inspiration to the rest of us.
Heather Glass for Leona and Jim Mason & Family says
My mother, Leona (Johnson), would say ‘amen’ to many of the comments on this page about her cousin, Dawn. Mum is now battling dementia, but I wanted to send a note of tribute and condolence because I know that Mum would have done that herself if she could. We kids (me, John and Glenn) have distant memories of meeting Auntie Dawn when we were younger and on leave in Alberta. Our mother always loved to hear of family and everyone always spoke of how Dawn was such a strong and resilient woman — a person who became a Victor over the huge adversity she faced/endured and thus inspired all she came into contact with. Her positive attitude toward life (inspite of huge challenges), her grateful heart and her compassion for others were all indications of her deep faith in a loving God. What a beautiful difference Auntie Dawn’s life made in the world. Our hearts go out to Kris, Jeff, Holly, Jennifer, Yvonne, Joe, Ross, Carole and all the rest of the family in this time of such loss. May you know God’s peace and comfort.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose for all we love deeply become a part of us.” (Helen Keller)
With our heartfelt sympathy,
Heather Mason Glass (for Leona and Jim Mason, John, Glenn and all our families)
Carole Larson says
The family, the world, is diminished now. We miss you
Mavis Nelson says
Our thought and prayers are with you Kris, Jeff, Holly and Jennifer today as you remember and celebrate the life of your Mom and Grandma. What a amazing lady, my cousin Dawn was. I remember the many time that she was in Alberta. Her good nature, wit could out do any of the Anderson’s. When I visited her, I was the one that was uplifted by the time I left. She had courage, inspiration, faith and grace that helped her in her many years of life that did not take her down. I will miss your hugs and “I love you” as we stopped on our way to Yuma, AZ each year.
Oh, yes Dawn Alberta still uses ice cream pails to measure peas, saskatoons, raspberries, etc.
May all the good memories and God’s Love help you in the days ahead. Hugs to Yvonne and Ross and their families too.
We are so thankful that Dawn is not in pain any more.
Hugs Mavis and Neil
Sue moore says
Sorry for your loss. Dawn was such an inspiration and light in my life. God Bless.
Yvonne Page says
Dawn was my very best friend all through high school. She was a bright light to me and all those who were blessed to know her.her persistence in life is amazing.
Yvonne Neville says
Dear Dawn—how I miss you and our times together and hooking up on the phone. I rejoice
that you are at peace, and that the Lord has taken you home. To God be the glory.
Jeff Watkins says
I was googling old friends from the past and found this obit. Lloyd and I attended USU together from ’63-’67. I met Dawn during study sessions. She worked as a nurse at the Logan hospital. She was very nice and put up with us rowdy forestry students. During study sessions at their home, she would pop in and joke with us for a few minutes. Lloyd studied hard and always got top grades because he felt a strong sense of responsibility to Dawn. Dawn became pregnant with Kris and I got to see baby “Krissy” just days old. Lloyd and Dawn were proud parents! Then Dawn suffered a stroke and I saw her just once more before Lloyd took her and Kris back home to Nebraska. Lloyd roomed with me for a while, then moved in with Ron Gravenhorst, a range mgt. student. I saw Lloyd the last time as he left Logan just after graduation. Dawn was one of those beautiful people you encounter briefly in life, making a lasting impression of goodness.