92
Sioux Falls, SD
December 31, 2021
Donna Dawson of rural Sioux Falls died as a result of natural causes. Donna was born on January 23, 1929, to Newell and Marcella (Richard) Sisson at the family home on 1310 N. Main Street in Sioux Falls. As the story goes, it was minus 32 degrees that day that Dr. Roberts came to the house to deliver her. Donna went on to graduate from Washington High School in 1947.
A highlight of her life was a band trip which took her and her band mates to the West Coast, through the Rocky Mountains and to Canada on a Pullman train. The trip lasted nearly a month covering over 6,500 miles. Donna played her French horn in 48 concerts.
Donna’s first job was a secretary to the Sioux Falls Superintendent of Schools. She met the love of her life after a First United Methodist Youth Group meeting in 1950. Clayton Dawson happened to be in the Coupe that was taking Donna and her friend home that evening. Because the car was small, she sat on his lap and the rest was history!
Donna and Clayton were married on July 18, 1952, at the First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Marion and her groom Bill Chambers. The newlyweds made their first home in Amarillo, Texas, while Clayton was serving in the Air Force. Donna held various secretarial positions in Amarillo, including the Armed Forces recruiting station. Upon Clayton’s discharge in 1955, the couple returned to South Dakota in 1955 to begin farming. Donna worked at the Sioux Falls VA until farm life became busier and she was needed at home. Donna loved all animals. She had a successful egg business for several years, learned how to use a milking machine and warmed up many a litter of cold newborn pigs in the bathroom sink. Along with various dogs and cats, there was a pet skunk named Flower, a squirrel named Quirl, a goat named Susie, two donkeys named Teddy and Roscoe and a bottle calf named “New Stove”.
Donna was a wonderful cook and everyone was welcome at her table. Since Clayton had to eat dinner at noon sharp, anyone who was at the farm was invited to the meal. Her homemade buns were legendary! They flew off bake sale tables and many asked for buns as a birthday or Christmas gift. Outgoing and fun, Donna was a member of many organizations. She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 56 years and served as secretary for most of them. She was active in United Methodist Women, Colton United Methodist Circle, TOPS Club and a Birthday Club, to name a few. As a breast cancer survivor, Donna was an active volunteer for Reach for Recovery helping many women on their cancer journey.
Grateful for sharing her life are her daughter, Judy Benitez (Dr. Jesus) and their sons Javier and Joseph of Amarillo, Texas; her sister, Marion Chambers of Sioux Falls; and family friends Monte and Theresa Burggraff of Sioux Falls and their sons Dustin and Cody and their families. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clayton, son Scott, daughter Dianne and her son-in-law Bruce Tordoff.
Funeral services were held January 6, 2022, at Colton United Methodist Church, Colton, SD.
Interment will be at the Hartford Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Colton United Methodist Church, 301 S Dakota, Colton, SD 57018, Dougherty Hospice House, 4509 Prince of Peace Place, Sioux Falls, or to a favorite charity.
Arrangements provided by Miller Funeral Home.