Susan Kay Dawson

Susan Kay Dawson, 49, of Lena, passed into the Lord'™s arms, surrounded by family at home on Friday, December 28, 2012 after a brief illness. A daughter of Wilbur and Beverly (Booth) Kruse, she was born April 16, 1963 in Freeport, IL. On September 23, 2000, she married George 'Buster' Frederick Dawson at their farm near Lena, IL. Susan was salutatorian of her 1981 graduating class at Pearl City High School, attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL and Highland Community College in Freeport, IL then graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She previously worked in Freeport at Sirloin Stockade/Golden Corral, DeMeester'™s Garden Center, Lang'™s Garden Center and in Lena at Uncle Bob'™s Restaurant. Recently, she worked for Dr. George Walker Orthodontics in Freeport, IL and Monroe, WI about 17 years. Susan had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. She nourished people around her with love and faith. Her love of nature is reflected in her landscaping and gardening. Surviving are her husband, George, one sister Ellen (Steven) Rice of Freeport, two brothers George (Michelle) Kruse of Iowa Falls, IA and Harlan (Janet) Kruse of Juda, WI; five nephews Bryan Rice of Freeport, Christopher Rice of Tempe, AZ, Christopher and Logan Kruse of Glendale, AZ, godchild Noah Kruse of Juda, WI and one great-niece Cassidy Rice, Mt Morris, IL. Preceding her in death were grandparents Leland and Helen (Martin) Booth and George and Mabel (Brecklin) Kruse. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, January 5, 2013 from 11am '" 3pm at East Gate Christian Center, 1650 South Armstrong Ave, Freeport IL with Pastor Steve Barr officiating. The family will greet friends from 11am until the time of service with fellowship to follow. We welcome you to share your precious thoughts and memories during the service or privately. Susan and family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during her battle with cancer. Cremation rites arranged by Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Visit the guest book at www.burketubbs.com Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. '" a headstone in Ireland Those we love don'™t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. '" Anonymous