Dawn died at home May 7th, 2024 due to long standing medical problems complicated by a stroke in September of 2022. She dedicated her life to raising three sons, and supporting her husband Rob’s career. When two sons married and had children she embraced being a mother-in-law and grandmother. As a testimony of her love and acceptance her daughter-in-laws gave the eulology at her funeral.
She graduated manga cum laude from St Olaf College in 1979 and married Rob Ferrell soon after. She took graduate classes in art and counseling prior to starting her family. Once settled in Yankton she helped establish the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She worked behind the scenes to help build a new high school and city activities center. Education was important to Dawn and the teachers were her favorite people. She regularly helped in the schools.
Health problems affected her life profoundly but she was always present and involved with her family and loved ones. Dawn always knew what to do to help others, positively affecting everyone she came into contact with no matter who they were or what they did. She lived her life by the principle that the more love you give, the more love is created.

Oh my, I remember walking home with Rob one day after school and he was talking about Dawn. He just glowed and was so excited to share his crush with me. He knew even then - he committed to asking Dawn out in that conversation - I don’t think he needed my encouragement at all. I know we suffered many teenage crushes, but this seemed different. Will so miss seeing Dawn, but I’m looking forward to talking with Rob and hearing all about their love story.

Dawn was such a fun and lovely person.
I will miss seeing her at our reunion