Dawn Nielsen

Dawn Nita Miller Nielsen was born on October 7, 1964 to Louise E. Miller in Tyler, Minnesota and she lived in Pipestone. At the age of three was adopted by Wesley K. Nielsen of Lake Benton, Minnesota.  She lived in Lake Benton with her parents and then moved to Redwood Falls for a time and then Marshall, Minnesota and attended school in Marshall, Minnesota.  In 1983 she moved back to Redwood Falls, Minnesota where she worked many jobs.  She stayed there until 1992 after the death of her dad, Wes.  On April 20, 1991, she and Craig Hanson were blessed with the birth of their son, Nathan Brent Nielsen.  Dawn and Nathan lived in Pipestone with their many beloved dogs through the years, Snuggles, Bingo, Charlie, Lacey, and Nickel.  Dawn considered her dogs to be like her children.  During Dawn’s time in Pipestone she found work cleaning people’s homes, working at Pipestone Area Schools, and the Pipestone Livestock Barn.  Dawn enjoyed spending time with Nathan and her dogs and went many places together.  They loved going camping and just spending as much time outdoors as they could together.  She also enjoyed taking her son to see his dad, Craig Hanson in Fairmont, Minnesota.  Craig passed away on July 5, 2008.  It was a hard time for the two of them and they spent lots of time with their other family members. Dawn passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at the Pipestone County Medical Center.

Dawn was proud of being stubborn.  She often said she would live forever because she was too ornery to die.  She lived a simple life– yet was so kind, helpful, and giving to everyone she knew.  She never judged and always found the best in everyone.  She was one of a kind.  

Dawn is lovingly remembered by her son, Nathan, of Minnetonka, Minnesota; her mother, Louise (Bob) Van Leeuwe of Marshall, Minnesota; one brother, Dave Nielsen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; close family, Jodi (Shawn) Reese of Pipestone, Kim (Ken) Hefti of Lake Benton, Minnesota; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dawn was preceded in death by her father, Wesley Nielsen; her Grandparents; her sister, Brenda Berger; and three of her beloved dogs, Bingo, Lacey, and Snuggles.