Yvonne Dawson

Yvonne S. Dawson, 91, of Des Moines, died Monday, January 21, 2019, at Parkridge Specialty Care in Pleasant Hill.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 30, at Hamilton Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Interment will be at Hartman Cemetery, Truro. Visitation with the family will be one hour before services. A general memorial fund has been established and condolences may be left for the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Yvonne was born August 16, 1927, to James E. “Pete” and Bernice Irene (Sinn) Sullivan in Truro. Her early schooling was in Truro, but she graduated from Des Moines Technical High School after the family moved to Des Moines. Yvonne spent most of her life in Des Moines, but in early adulthood lived in places such as Cheyenne, WY, San Francisco, Seattle, Milwaukee and Fort Huachuca, AZ.

Yvonne spent much of her life working for the federal government. She was employed by the U.S. Army and the Internal Revenue Service before going to work for the Social Security Administration, from where she retired in 1987. In retirement, she enjoyed keeping up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as spoiling her toy poodles, Schatzi and Chloe, and later, Sammie. She enjoyed reading, keeping up on current events, and advocating for her favorite Democrat politicians. Known to her nieces and nephews as Auntie Bon, she was a strong and independent woman who was never afraid to voice her opinion or stand up for herself. She also had great determination in overcoming health problems and living independently in the house she had built for her in 1964.

She is survived by her son, David of Moweaqua, IL; three grandchildren, Eric Dawson of Charleston, IL, Jeff Harrison and Christina (Michael) Harrison Nevitt, both of Lincoln, NE; two great-grandsons, Noah Nevitt and Drew Nevitt; sister, Ann Beeler of New Virginia; brother and sister-in-law, James and Sandi Sullivan of Santa Cruz, CA; and nieces and nephews, Susan Gannon, Rick Harter, Bill Harter, Don Harter, Steve Beeler, Karin Sullivan, James Sullivan, Keli Sullivan, and David Baxter. She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Jack Williams.

Special thank-yous to Dr. Corrine Ganske and staff for their longtime care and compassion, and her nephews Jack and Rick for all they did so she could continue living in her home.

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