Leona Pearl Dawson

Leona Pearl Dawson, 80, passed away on Feb. 4, 2014, at home, Mile 15.5, Lake Louise Road.

Leona Pearl Clodfelder, was born May 27, 1924, in Geneseo, Ill. Leona lived in North Dakota and Minnesota, graduating from high school in Backus, Minn.

Warren, Leona and children moved to Alaska in 1970, settling in Wasilla, where they owned and operated a gas station. They moved to the Lake Louise area in 1979 and purchased and operated a gas station and boat storage business.

Leona was a member of the Lake Louise Dart Club, Glennallen Senior Center, the Lake Louise Community Non Profit, Lake Louise Emergency Services and always attended the Lake Louise weekly potlucks. Leona was an animal lover and in the early ’70s began donating her time to several Iditarod mushers. She loved the Copper Basin 300 and the Iditarod Trail sled dog races.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Warren Dawson; her parents, Lee and Ethel Clodfelder; and her sister, Johnnye Driscoll. Surviving are her children and grandchildren, Lynn Clodfelder (Michele, Rhonda, Kelly, Brian), Douglas Dawson (Douglas, Terry, Lee, Tammy), Kenneth Dawson (Marilyn) (Adam, Joshua), Colleen (Dan Payne) (Cory, Tony, Jesse/Pete Black), Steven Dawson (Jessica) (Davina, Felicia, Jeffrey, Roman, Shanice, Dawson, Katie); and 26 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lake Louise Community Volunteer Emergency Services.

A potluck in remembrance of Leona is at noon, March 9 at Lake Louise Lodge.

A celebration of life is planned at 1 p.m., June 28 at Lake Louise Lodge. Refreshments and a light luncheon will be included in the celebration.