Dawn Johnson

Dawn Johnson age 64 of Fredericksburg, IA died Saturday, April 5, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital in Waterloo, IA.

Friends may greet the family from 11:00 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Fredericksburg Community Center in Fredericksburg, IA.

Dawn Johnson, a beacon of love and adventure, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, in Waterloo, IA, at the age of 64. Born on October 5, 1960, in New Hampton, IA, the daughter of Allan and Arthenese (Leichtman) Sanderson. Dawn’s life was full of passion, caring, and an unwavering zest for life’s simple pleasures.

A proud graduate of the New Hampton High School class of 1979, Dawn carried the spirit of her hometown throughout her life. She worked at Beatrice Cheese Inc in Fredericksburg, IA, where she served as a seasonal worker for a few years. Yet, it was her love for children that led her to establish a beloved daycare business in Fredericksburg, where she nurtured and cared for the community’s children as if they were her own, fostering lifelong bonds and leaving an enduring impact on countless families.

Dawn’s home, always immaculate and inviting, was a testament to her diligent and tidy nature. It served as a haven not only for her family but also for the many children she cared for throughout the years.

Dawn found solace in the beauty of nature, often sitting outside to soak in the tranquil moments offered by the world around her. Spontaneous road trips with no particular destination in mind were adventures that fueled her soul, as were the melodies of Kenny Chesney, which provided the soundtrack to many of these cherished excursions.

Dawn’s love for wine, picnics, and travel led her to explore the picturesque landscapes of Door County, WI, a place that held a special spot in her heart. Above all, the time spent with her beloved grandchildren was the most precious to her; these moments were filled with joy, laughter, and the creation of memories that will be treasured forever.

Dawn’s life was a journey marked by an unwavering passion for the people and world around her. She approached each day with a loving heart and an adventurous spirit that inspired all who were fortunate to cross her path.

As we bid farewell to Dawn, we celebrate the life of a woman whose presence was a gift to us all. Her love, adventure, and passion will continue to resonate in the lives of those she touched, and her spirit will forever be woven into the fabric of the community she so dearly loved. Dawn’s legacy of love and the joy she found in life’s simplest pleasures will continue to light the way for generations to come.

Surviving Dawn is her devoted husband, David Johnson of Fredericksburg, IA, with whom she shared a serendipitous beginning and a lifetime of cherished memories. Their love story began with a shared drink at the Village Inn on New Year’s and blossomed into a partnership cemented on June 30, 1984, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton, IA. Together, they nurtured a beautiful family, including their daughter, Kristen (Zak) Larter of Waverly, IA, who blessed them with two adored grandchildren, Katelyn and Isla Larter.

Dawn also leaves behind a legacy of sisterhood with her sisters, Teri (Jim) Johnson of Prairie Du Chien, WI, and Kathy Sanderson of Harpers Ferry, IA, who together shared in the joys and sorrows of life. 

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Allan and Arthenese Sanderson, her stepmother, Ann Sanderson, and her sister, Saralee Sanderson, who all left an indelible mark on her heart.