November 19, 1934 - October 9, 2023
Mary Dawson, age 88 of West Bend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at her home in West Bend. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in West Bend. Services were livestreamed via Lentz Funeral Home’s website: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/mary-dawson. Interment took place at West Bend Cemetery in West Bend. Visitation was held on Friday, Oct. 13 from 4 until 7 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in West Bend. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of West Bend. www.lentzfuneralhome.com
Mary Louise Conrad, daughter of Ralph Burdette (Buster) Conrad and Angie Jane Curtis, was born Nov. 19, 1934, on the family farm in northwestern Lucas County. She graduated from Chariton High School and then attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. It was here the homecoming queen met the most eligible bachelor on campus. She and Don Holland were married at Bergen Lutheran Church in Roland on June 2, 1956. Their first teaching jobs were at West Bend that fall. They continued to make West Bend their home the rest of their lives.
Mary taught fifth grade one year and then was a stay-at-home mom to their five children. Playmates were always welcome and the cookie jar was always full. After the children were all in school, she worked with her husband at Security Insurance Agency for 22 years. Don passed away Aug.18, 1999. Mary continued to work at Security Insurance until 2001. She reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Duane (Durango) Dawson, after 50 years, and they were married May 5, 2001. He passed away Nov. 12, 2001.
Mary was very dedicated to Peace Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School for 25 years, directing the choir for over 50 years, and serving in many offices. She enjoyed serving as director of the Pacesetters Drill Team at West Bend High School for 11 years. Many people enjoyed her love of baking rolls, pies and cookies. She made West Bend beautiful with her love of flowers. Of course, her family was most important in her life.
Left to mourn are sons Douglas (Deborah) Holland, Westfield, Ind.; Dana (Mary) Holland, Marshalltown; Debra (Terry) Banwart, West Bend; Donnelle Colosimo, Waukee; Deanne (John) Banwart, Ottosen; Grandchildren Ashley (Jake) Olberding, Jenna (Chris) Hamm, Brett (Megan) Holland, Seth (Ali) Banwart, Laura (Edgar) Maritim, Andy Holland, Ryan (Hannah) Banwart, Brooke (Jordan) Springer, Natalie Colosimo (Cooper Christiano), Madeline (Casey) Roth and Bo Colosimo; 17 great-grandchildren; three step-children, Gary Dawson, Pearce, Ariz.; Doug Dawson, Chariton; and Sherri (Rick) McGee, Liberty, Mo.; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Lou Holland of Kansas City and Jean Ballard, and brother-in-law Dale Dawson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her sisters Margaret Saxton and Betsy Berggren, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.