DAWN MARIE SANQUIST ANDERSON
December 30, 1965 ~ March 22, 2011

Dawn Marie Sanquist Anderson, 45 a lifetime resident of Park Rapids, MN; the much loved mother of Brandon and Jordan and the precious daughter of Ralph and Shari Sanquist was very unexpectedly ushered into Heaven on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.
Dawn was born on December 30, 1965 to Ralph and Shari Sanquist at St. Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. As a baby, she was baptized at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Akeley, MN. It was in Park Rapids that she attended public school and grew into womanhood. Dawn was united in marriage to Gregory Duane Anderson on December 30, 1983 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids by Pastor Don Fondow. Their marriage was blessed with 2 sons: Brandon and Jordan. In addition to caring for her family, Dawn did child care in her home from 1984 to 2007 and also worked for St. Johns ABC Preschool for two years. She earned her CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials. In 2007, she started the Briar Patch Corner Child Care Center where Dawn as owner and director along with her staff lovingly provided child care services - currently serving over 50 families. She was the Community Coordinator for the Park Rapids Early Childhood Initiative Foundation. She was an active member of the Child Care Center Directors of Northwest MN. She was a member of the Region 2 Childcare Resource and Referral Grant and Review Committee. The Briar Patch Corner was currently participating in a new CCR&R project called the Building Quality Initiative. Dawn was instrumental in continuing with the United for Children Conference held annually in Park Rapids. Dawn was also an active member of the Park Rapids Rotary. She was a faithful life time member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She also served on various boards and was a member of the Evening Guild at St. Johns. Above all, Dawn devoted her life to her Lord and Savior, her sons, family and friends and the children in her care who she loved with all her heart.
She will be lovingly remembered by her 2 sons: Brandon and Jordan of Park Rapids, MN; her parents, Ralph and Shari Sanquist of Nevis, MN; her brother, Todd (Melissa) Sanquist of Park Rapids, MN; her maternal grandmother, Norma Henke of Park Rapids, MN; her paternal grandparents, Melvin and Alvina Sanquist of St. Cloud, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives, many friends and her faithful beloved “Snickers”.
Dawn was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM Sunday, March 27, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Tim Heinecke officiating. The organist will be Kris Kreutzer who will play Dawn’s favorite congregational hymns. The Sr. Bell Choir will perform “Children Of The Heavenly Father”. The casket bearers will be Scott Thompson, Jeremy Nelson, Anthony Remily, Greg Holler, Mitch Nelson and Craig Rossman. The honorary casket bearers will be the Briar Patch Corner Child Care Center Staff and her much loved students as well as Dawn’s special friend, Kimberly Lempola. Interment will be made in the Sanquist family plot located at the Henrietta Township Cemetery east of Park Rapids. Following the funeral service, a luncheon will be hosted by the St. Johns Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Saturday, March 26th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and again on Sunday beginning one hour prior the services at the church.
A memorial fund has been established at Citizens National Bank to help build a children’s playground in Park Rapids in Dawn’s memory.