Dawn Marie Nelson
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Dawn Marie Nelson, age 70, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 18, 2026. She was born on April 7, 1955, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Merle and Bonnie (Eyvonne) Johnson.
Dawn made her home in Casa Grande, Arizona, where she built a life centered around love, family, and friendship. She was a kind and caring soul who deeply cherished the people in her life. Dawn had a special gift for connection — whether through a phone call, a heartfelt message, or time spent together in person, she made everyone feel seen and valued.
She is lovingly survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Donald Nelson; her daughter, Jamie (Gary) Nelson; and her son, Nicholas (Megan) Nelson. She was a proud and adoring grandmother to Jordan, Eloise, and Frankie, who brought her immeasurable joy. She is also survived by her brother, Mel Johnson, and her sister, Judy Johnson. She was preceded in death by her loving parents Merle and Bonnie.
Dawn built a strong professional career marked by dedication and leadership. She worked for ALDI, where she rose to the position of store manager. She later worked with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage as part of their Executive Communication Team, where her warmth and professionalism made a lasting impact.
Beyond her career, Dawn had a passion for family history and was an avid user of Ancestry.com, tracing her family tree back through numerous generations. She found great joy in uncovering the stories of those who came before her and sharing them with those she loved. Dawn also enjoyed the holiday season, and went to great lengths to wrap the most elaborate gifts which her family and close friends admired. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and would attend games when they visited Arizona for spring training and regular season games.
Private services were held on February 21, 2026. A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.
Dawn’s legacy is one of love, connection, and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
