Linda Dawson, 80

Linda Lou Dawson went home to be with Jesus and many of her loved ones Feb. 2, 2024.  

She was born Nov. 25, 1943, to Edna Mae (Lozar) and Timothy Ralph in Spokane, Wash. She had an older sister, Connie, and a younger sister, Jacalyn.

Linda’s father traveled a lot for work, so she grew up in several small towns in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, but spent most of her school-age years in Spirit Lake, Idaho. She was an active student, cheerleader and choir member, graduating from Spirit Lake High School in 1961. She married Mike Dawson right after graduation. They made their first home in Spirit Lake and later moved to the Spokane Valley after their first child arrived. Linda volunteered as a foster parent when her children were very young. In 1971, after the birth of her last child, she and Mike moved to Post Falls, Idaho, to raise their family.

Linda was a full-time homemaker, mother, and grandmother most of her life. She taught Sunday school and VBS, and led many women’s bible studies at the Community Church of the Bible in the Spokane Valley. She had a beautiful voice and shared her love for the Lord through the gift of music. She provided childcare for many toddlers of working parents in the early '70s. Once her children were in school full-time, she worked at Clare Pendar molding factory in Post Falls, at Seltice Elementary School and, much later, as a receptionist for the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce. After 42 years of marriage, Linda and Mike were divorced in 2003, but remained friends until her passing.

Linda loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona, enjoying retirement with her husband, family and friends. Linda suffered some significant health issues in her life, but always seemed to bounce back, looking forward to the next family wedding, the next birth of a grandchild, the next holiday or the next life experience. She spent her last years living in Coeur d’Alene at Brookdale Senior Living, where she had many friends (residents and staff alike). 

She is survived by her four children, Pam Houser (Rich),  Polly Johnson (Garrett), Peggy Beebe (George) and Michael Dawson (TraceyLynn), 12 grandchildren, eight bonus grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild due in March, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters and her son-in-law, Rich Houser.

Linda was laid to rest Feb. 13, 2024, in the Marshall, Wash., cemetery, next to her parents, Tim and Edna, and her sisters, Connie Clary Burch and Jacci Herron.

Until we meet again. You will be missed.