Dawn Christene Jennings class of 1975
December 2, 1956 – February 3, 2022
Dawn C (Rhoades) Jennings of Okemos, age 65, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2022, as a result of a long battle against complications from COVID, despite being fully vaccinated. Dawn’s three children were able to be with her to comfort her when she left this world.
Dawn was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, partner, caregiver, healer, and friend to many, and a lifelong resident of the Greater Lansing area. She was born in Lansing on December 2, 1956, to Dallas and Doris (Richards) Rhoades. She was preceded in death by both parents; stepmother, Dolores (Dunn, Kranz) Rhoades; grandparents, Harold Richards, Ada (Barber) Richards, Lewis Rhoades, and Bertha (Buck) Rhoades; and many cherished aunts and uncles.
Dawn loved her family and is survived and remembered by: 2 brothers, Dale and Dean Rhoades; 3 children, Jennifer Weston (partner Adam Delaney), Teddy (Ashleigh) Jennings, and Ben (Brittany) Jennings; 8 treasured grandchildren; her partner, Mike Donaldson; and his sons, Andrew and Jamie (Jessica) Donaldson; aunt, Bernice (Rhoades) Rayburn; close friend, Kathleen Manning; a wealth of cousins to whom she was close throughout her life; and many friends from school and her career as a nurse.
Dawn was passionate about being a good student and becoming a successful nurse. She graduated in 1975 from Okemos High School where she participated in student council, Girl Scouts, the OHS women’s basketball team, OHS choir, and the National Honor Society. She was also a member of 4-H and showed horses with her parents and brothers at the Ingham County Fair. In college she was a Candy Striper, a member of Sigma Theta Tau sorority, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1979 from the University of Michigan’s Nursing School.
Dawn was a skilled and compassionate caregiver. After college, she became a registered nurse and worked at General Motors RE Olds plant in Lansing. Later in life Dawn worked several years in a dialysis center before settling into her last position providing home care nursing services. She had a special place in her heart caring for adults advanced in years, and a special knack for honoring their life story. She stayed close to her parents and siblings throughout her life and was proud to be the owner and caretaker for the sesquicentennial Stillman Pioneer Farm in Alaiedon Township.
Dawn loved her community. During her adult life when she wasn’t working as a nurse, she was a dedicated mother, Girl Scout troop leader, Boy Scout den mother, and patron of the OHS Band and Orchestra programs. She was also an active member at Okemos Community Church where she participated in the bell choir. After her children graduated from school, Dawn loved to share her passion for vegetable gardening, cooking, canning, horses, dogs, crocheting, celebrating family traditions, spending time with her grandbabies, and promoting interest about local history.
Dawn’s family invites those who knew Dawn to join them for a memorial service honoring her life on Saturday March 12, 2022 at 1 PM at Gorsline-Runciman Chapel East Lansing (1730 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823) and visitations for her on Friday, March 11, 2022, 2-6 PM and Saturday, March 12, 2022, 12-1 PM at Gorsline-Runciman Chapel, East Lansing. The family asks that all anyone who attends the visitation or Memorial Service wear a properly fitted mask to protect against the spread of COVID. In order to accommodate anyone who may be unable to attend the memorial service in person, Gorsline-Runciman will also make the service available via livestream. Details on livestream links are forthcoming; please check back here for a URL closer to March 12.
Laurel Winkel (1968)
(Comments from the OAA Facebook group)
Steve Wing
Very sorry, I graduated in 1975, she was very kind.
Kathleen Anne
So deeply sorry for your loss. I had not seen Dawn since high school, but remember her as very kind and caring. May her memory be a blessing to you and yours.
Jennifer Weston
Kathleen Anne Thank you for your kind words.
Mark Jay
I am terribly sorry for your loss. You have my deepest condolences. OHS '79.
Patricia McKane
I’m so sorry. I fondly remember Dawn from my Okemos 4-H horse club days. She was always so kind. OHS ‘78
Annie Coburn Halatek
So very sorry to hear this sad news. I remember Dawn from high school. She was in my graduating class. Much love and many prayers to her loved ones.
Orestes Mavromatis
So sorry to hear of your loss. Class of 90
Diane Geiler
Patricia Stevenson
So sorry for your loss. We graduated in the same class.
Susan Kearney Seeberg
My thoughts and prayers- I remember building the Homecoming float at her family’s barn our freshman year. Rest in peace, Dawn.
Miko Matsumura
my sincere condolences, please take good care of yourself and your family
Angela Aiea Sauer
Your mom was always kind and a force of nature. Sending my love your way.
Jennifer Weston
Angela Aiea Sauer Thank you! A force of nature is a good way to describe her determination,
David Shadduck
John Deemer
So sorry to hear this
Donna Crawford
Dawn was a year ahead of me at OHS and in my brother Brian Jay's class. I will pass it along to him. She was such a kind person. So sorry for your loss.
Tracy Robinson Kidd
So sorry to here this. Thank you for posting. I graduated with your mom.
Pam Peninger Studebaker
I am so sorry for your loss. She graduated a year after me. Sending prayers. God bless.
Sherry Hoffner Augenstein
Very sorry to hear. I went through may years of school with dawn
Marcia Rainey Savara
So very sorry to see this - Rest In Peace Dawn !
David Stacks
Very sad news. I remember Dawn well from our OHS ‘75 class. She was always kind, sweet and positive. I will always remember her like that. May she Rest In Peace and may you know she will never be forgotten! She will live on in our hearts. Peace
Scott Elliott
Really sorry to hear this.
Kathleen Anne
Scott Elliott It's more than a little sad when we lose those we went to school with.
Scott Elliott
Kathleen Anne No doubt. It’s a little bit of a reality check.
Libby DeLyria
Thank you so much for posting this. I have always considered your mom a very dear friend even though I didn’t keep in touch with her after high school. We did so many things together in school and I always loved and respected her. Rest In Peace, Dawn. Clearly you led a a life well loved.
Jennifer Weston
Libby DeLyria Thank you for your kind words
Bruce Rasmussen
May your family take comfort and strength from the many memories Dawn has provided…
Barbara Denise
So very sorry for your loss. Dawn was in my class at OHS. I didn’t know her well, but I remember her as a smart and caring person.
Kathleen Anne
Barbara Denise She was so smart.
Tomla Kleinsmith
Remembering Dawn and keeping you all in thoughts and prayers.
Rest in Heaven
Sue Richards Baas
With Love and prayers
i remember Dawn From OHS class of 75
Debbie Rhiness
So sorry for your loss, Jennifer. I didn’t know your mother but am a friend of Dean’s from OHS. I followed his regular FB posts about her battle and was so sad to hear how things ended. May she Rest In Peace now. Praying for your family.
Jennifer Weston
Debra Lyn Rhiness Thank you
Tonya Dillard
I am so sorry for your loss.
Lj Winkel
Jennifer, thank you for sharing this sad news with her Okemos classmates. I'm so very sorry for this loss to you and your extended family.
Lynne Washington
I'm so sorry for your loss!
Ron Marsh
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Your Mom was fantastic in High School and reading about her life after School she lived a tremendous life and I am sure you all are very proud of her accomplishments. Ron Marsh Class of 75
Patricia Stevenson
Ron Marsh I looked her up in our yearbook today. So sad for this loss.
Eric M Larson
Very sad to hear this. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Carson Neifert
Praying
Annette Thorn
So very sorry for your loss.
Teri Peisner
So very sorry to hear about Dawn. I remember Dawn as a very sincere and caring person. She was definitely well known and liked in our class.
Sara Deiter
Thank you for sharing this. It is a lovely obituary. Losing your mom is very hard. Prayers going up for you and your family.
Jennifer Weston
Sara Deiter Thank you.
Philip P. Arnold
Our condolences to you and your family. I remember Dawn in the OHS choir and she was as a very kind person.
Jennifer Weston
Philip P. Arnold Thank you
Teresa Bass
So sorry to hear about your loss. Praying for you and your family. Dawn dated my brother, Tim Bass, for a couple of years in high school. She was a friend of mine as well (we were both in Class of 75). I remember her with a smile on her face and she was always a happy person.
Jennifer Weston
Teresa Bass Thank you for sharing that memory! Mom talked with fond memories a lot about you both.