Dawn Herchenhahn Gundersen, 81, was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to the late Albert and Iva Herchenhahn. Surrounded by her loving family Dawn was called to her Heavenly home June 2, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida.
Dawn Herchenhahn Gundersen was a hands-on wife and mom. She worked with joy at every job she did. From Avon lady to Pensacola Christian School bus driver to Faith Baptist Church secretary/bookkeeper to Creative Memories consultant to her personal cleaning business, she was not one to sit still. She served others with as much fervor as she worked.
Her favorite person in the world was her husband, George, followed closely by her kids: Lynn, Donna, and Mike, and then her grandchildren: Wil, Cory, Amber, Brad, Ronnie, and Jessica. She lived for her Lord and her family and everything she did was done in honor of Him and them. She was proud of her Herchenhahn family heritage and often spoke with warmth of her nine siblings. At reunions, she was the one who would keep everyone in line.
She loved to sing and she loved to hear her kids sing. She sang in the choir for decades as a faithful choir member and often sang solos in church. She was a children's Sunday School teacher and she loved her church family and rarely missed a service. She was an Awana leader and an active member of her Sunday School classes over the years. Even when dementia took her ability to remember and changed her personality, she was always wanting to go somewhere or do something. She loved to play games and she was quite the Sudoku player. She was busy until the end, just in different ways.
Dawn will be greatly missed not only by her own family, but also by her church family, neighbors, and friends. We have been blessed by her presence and we are saddened by her absence. But we will see her again in the sweet bye and bye.
Dawn was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Iva Herchenhahn, and siblings Lucille Jones, Fred Herchenhahn, Allen Herchenhahn, Jean Brunson, and Gayle Mattheiss.
Left to cherish Dawn’s beautiful memories will be her husband George Gundersen; children: Lynn Brooks and husband Ron, Donna Lee and husband Willis, Michael Gundersen and wife Kristi; grandchildren: Cory Davis (Jeremy), Ronnie Brooks, Wil Lee, Amber Lee, Jessica Lee, Bradley Gundersen; great-grandchildren: Keegan Davis, Taegan Davis; siblings: Louise Bates, Wilma Jones, Jim Herchenhahn, and Judy Ray, along with many extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.
Pallbearers for Dawn include Michael Gundersen, Ron Brooks, Willis Lee, Bradley Gundersen, Ronnie Brooks, and Wil Lee. Honorary Pallbearers include Alec Mason, Donald Gainey, and Joe Smith.
We would especially like to express our gratitude to all the family and friends who have so lovingly reached out and checked on us and brought us food over the past several weeks. Thank you to Covenant Care Hospice and specifically the nurses, Meredith and Lisa, who seemed to go above and beyond to comfort not only our mom, but also our grieving father.
Celebration of Life service for Dawn Glida Gundersen will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, June 5, 2020 in the sanctuary of Faith Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff Bailie officiating under the direction on Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.
The family will be receiving guests for visitation Friday, June 5, 2020 at Faith Baptist Church from 1:00 PM until time of service at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Faith Baptist Church Missions Program, 3600 Creighton Road, Pensacola, FL 32504, (850) 476-8496.
