Dawn Sue Martin, 69, of Ponca, NE, passed away December 18, 2023.  A funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.  at Waterbury Funeral home, Visitation will be Tuesday, December 26 from 4-7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Dawn S. Martin was born to Donald and Ramona Dickson on Feb. 5, 1954, in Sioux City, Ia. Dawn was one of 7 children, and all of the kid's names started with ‘D’. They referred to themselves as the ‘7 D’s’. They were extremely close growing up. Family was everything to Dawn.  Dawn spent most of her childhood life in Sioux City, except when the family moved to Watertown, SD for a brief time. Dawn graduated from East High School in 1972.   After graduating she began working at Sneak’s Chicken in Sioux City; where she would meet the love of her life, Daniel J. Martin.

On June 23, 1978, Dawn married Daniel at Latham Park in Sioux City. The two enjoyed camping, boating, and riding motorcycles. The two were in a motorcycle club and went riding with friends/club members any chance they could get! Dawn and Dan rode their bikes from coast to coast one summer, and Dawn even won a female hill climb at Sturgis in the late 70’s! She was a tough little lady!

In 1983 Dawn and Dan welcomed their first and only child: Lindsay. Dawn enjoyed being a mother and lived her whole life to make Dan and Lindsay happy. Their happiness was her happiness.

In 1984 Dawn started working a lifelong career at Federal Express as a courier. Dawn enjoyed employment at Fed Ex and maintained lifelong friendships that started at Federal Express.  She also worked at Bacon Creek General Store for many years.

In 1988, Dawn and Dan purchased their forever home, and the family moved to Ponca, Neb. The family was surrounded by great neighbors that also became lifelong friends.

Dawn loved God and loved reading the Bible. Her Faith was very strong, even though the very end. She also loved being a grandma to Espen and Rylin. They truly were her whole life. Nothing brought a bigger smile to her face, or more joy to her heart, then those two.

After retirement Dawn spent her off days working at her niece’s salon and helping stock shelves at The Trading Post grocery store. Dawn was very social and was so proud of her niece and loved ‘working’ at the salon. Dawn also became very good friends with the store owner and would often visit the store just to chat with her friend Vicki.

Dawn was not only a hard worker, but also took on a caregiver role to her Husband Dan after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was a devoted wife and understood what the terms ‘for better or for worse’ and ‘unconditional love’ meant. She cared for Dan for many years at home until his passing.

In early October Dawn underwent an extensive heart surgery, followed by several months of complications that resulted from the surgery. She was a fighter until the very end. Even though in pain and having difficulties breathing, she remained gracious to the hospital staff and loved telling them ‘Her Daughter is a nurse’. She was so proud of her daughter Lindsay.

On December 18, 2023, while still hospitalized; Dawn’s pain and suffering came to an end. She passed into Heaven with her family surrounding her with love, prayer, and comfort.

Dawn was the most selfless, giving, compassionate, hardworking women that lived and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived in death by her daughter, Lindsay Anderson of Bronson, IA; two grandchildren, Espen and Rylin Anderson of Bronson, IA; four sisters and two brothers and their spouses, Diana (Art) Morgan of Frisco, Texas; Dr. Dennis Dickson of Jacksonville, Florida; Donna (Jim) Carlin of Sioux City, IA; David (Kathy) Dickson of Pineville, Missouri; Dana (Rodger) Howell of Sioux City, IA; and Darlene (Mike) Dufrane-Skinner of Point Place, Texas. The 7 D’s!

She is preceded in death by her parents Don and Ramona Dickson, and her loving husband of 43 years, Daniel J. Martin.