Dawn Hovden

Dawn Mae Huehnerfuss-Hovden, ascended with the angels on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, and the wonderful staff at Applegate Reflections. Mom was born into this world on May 5, 1929 to Clarence and Dorothy Huehnerfuss in Wausau, Wisconsin. Mom and her sister Bonnie lived with Grandma and Grandpa above their grocery store on the corner of 3rd Ave and Elm St on the west side. Mom told us about the candy jars Grandpa had with the stainless steel scoops. She recalled that it was a treat for her friends but she got sick of it. But it was ironic that Mom always had candy when we would go to her house. As a girl, Mom took dancing lessons and became an accomplished tap dancer. In fact, years later, she reflected how she had a dear friend, a male, who was older than her as a dance partner. We really didn't know how good Mom was until she performed as a "one man band" at Stunt Night and won the contest. She was really that good. Mom graduated from Wausau High School in 1947. Soon after high school she met a young sailor, Ronald Dean Hovden, and on November 28, 1948 they were married in Pine City, Minnesota by a justice of the peace. Mom was the quintessential World War II bride. Dad worked, and was gone on the road while Mom stayed home and brought up four children. She was so typical of the era, that one child described her "like Donna Reid, she stays home and bakes cookies." That was Mom, always there, always could be depended on. The later years were not so kind to Mom. Her health started to waver with her arthritis. She also endured the loss of her son, Brett at 32, and the untimely death of Dad at age 69. Still, Mom remained steadfast and strong. She could always be depended upon, and was always generous and caring. Her last years of her life were spent at Applegate to her eventual death. We always felt that Mom deserved better, but she seldom complained when we would go visit her. She would say "I love you" and when we said we would return, she explained "I'll be here." It's ironic that Mom died close to the Christmas holiday, because of how she loved Christmas. She loved baking cookies, decorating the house, and making every holiday a memorable one. Mom, we're sorry you had to suffer. You did deserve better, but we also pray that Dad greeted you along with Brett, grandpas and grandmas, aunts and uncles, and a chorus of angels. And oh yes, your kitties. Oh how you loved them as well. We will miss you, and always know, we love you. Mom is survived by three children, Scott (special friend Irene) of Mosinee, Cheryl (Tom) Lepien of Spring Green, and Kari (Steve) Norris of Wausau; five grandchildren, Christopher (Amy) of Suamico, Brittany (David) Miller of Appleton, Gregory (Tammeka) Norris of Weston, and Danny Lepien of Oconomowoc, Laura Ann (Craig) Miller of Milwaukee; and nine great-grandchildren. The celebration of Mom's life will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home - Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am, and services at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's and Arthritis Foundations.