Gloria Dawson, 81, of Enumclaw, WA and formerly of Redfield, SD died Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at Auburn General Hospital in Auburn, WA. Her funeral will be Monday, June 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. Pastor Tim Fugman will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8:00 pm at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield with the family present from 5-6:00 pm to accept condolences. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Gloria was born on February 23, 1927, at their family home near Hitchcock, SD to John M. and Emma B. (Voorhees) Phillips. She remained in the area until she graduated from Bonilla High School. Gloria then moved to Huron, attending Huron Business College and subsequently working at Armour's.

On September 21, 1947, she married Dean Dawson and they began their farm life, working on their farms in the Redfield area and later at their home in Athol. They felt fortunate to be able to retire in the mid-80's when they moved from their Athol farm to live in Redfield. They lived in Redfield in the summer and were able to continue "snowbirding" to Arizona in the winter.

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

Gloria was a dedicated housewife who loved to cook, sew, garden and spend time with her family. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield.

She will be missed so much by her husband, Dean of Enumclaw, WA; two daughters, Deanna (Keith) Tubandt of Stanton, NE; and Debbie (Richard) Ekstrom of Enumclaw, WA; granddaughter Renee (George) Lombard of Maple Valley, WA; great grandchildren Emily and Dawson Lombard of Maple Valley, WA; and one brother Dean Phillips of Huron and many nieces and nephews.