July 25, 2020 - Service Update:  Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Dawson family has made the difficult decision to change the public memorial service at the church to a private, family graveside service, with military honors.  The service date and time remain the same: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield, SD.  Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord will officiate and Dale Fiedler will be the soloist.  The service will be live-streamed to Hyke Funeral Home's website, under Mr. Dawson's obituary.

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Dean Nelson Dawson, 96, died Saturday, April 4, 2020, at his home in Enumclaw, WA.  His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield, SD.  Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord will officiate.  Interment, with military honors, will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Arrangements in South Dakota have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Dean was born August 17, 1923, at his family home near Redfield, SD, to James and Bertha (Best) Dawson.   He graduated from Redfield High School in l941.   He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and was honorably discharged in l946.

Dean married Gloria Phillips on September 21, 1947, and they began their life working on their farms in the Redfield area and later at their home in Athol.  Besides farming full-time, Dean also worked for the ASCS part-time.  After he fully retired from farming, he worked as a crop adjuster for a private insurance company.  His crop adjusting took him to several states in the Midwest as well as Louisiana.  Gloria frequently joined him on these trips.   They felt fortunate to be able to retire in the mid-'80s when they moved from their Athol farm to live in Redfield.  They lived in Redfield during the summers and were able to continue "snowbirding" in Arizona during the winter.

After some health difficulties, they decided to move to Washington in 1998 to be closer to family members.  During this time, Dean felt blessed to be able to personally welcome two great-grandchildren into the world.  These children brought him much joy and always a big smile.

Dean was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, the American Legion and the VFW.  Dean enjoyed fishing and everything sports – especially baseball.  He was a man with a warm heart and a generous laugh that just drew people to him.  Until his final days, Dean was reading his daily newspaper, talking on the phone with family, and enjoying a good game of pinochle.

Dean is survived by his two daughters:  Deanna (Keith) Tubandt and their family, David, Mirna, Allan, Deanna and Kayle Argueta of Berryville, Virginia; Debbie Ekstrom of Enumclaw, Washington; granddaughter:  Renee (George) Lombard of Maple Valley, Washington; great-grandchildren Emily and Dawson Lombard of Maple Valley; one sister, Barbara Binger of Rapid City, South Dakota, and many nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kenny and an infant brother.

The family requests that any memorials be given to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 125 E 7th Ave, Redfield, South Dakota 57469, or a charity of their choice.