Carmen Dawson

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Carmen Dawson, 78, died Nov. 11, 2008, due to pancreatic cancer at her home in Wallowa with her family. She was born to Kate (Alderidge) Ferns and James Mark Ferns on the family ranch on Buck Creek in Silver Lake. She was the youngest of seven children. She attended grade school in Silver Lake and graduated from La Pine High school as salutatorian. Her best friend, and sister-in-law, Ethel (Story) Ferns was valedictorian.

Carmen met and married Marvin Dawson in 1949. The couple ranched in La Pine and was awarded Deschutes County Cattleman of the Year in 1961. The couple later moved to Lostine where they ranched for 23 years before retiring to their home in Wallowa.

Carmen was a life-long and active member of Grange, a 4-H leader for more than 30 years, a 4-H dorm mother, an active supporter of the FFA, worked on an agricultural land use committee, drove school bus to sporting events, and was the first woman to be elected to serve on the Deschutes County Fair Board. She also enjoyed music and played in a band for dances and weddings in La Pine.

She played the accordion, piano and organ for enjoyment. She loved country life. She and husband Marvin (fondly known as “Mutt”) raised their family together as active community members.

Carmen was an avid hunter and filled many deer and elk tags over the years. Her love of hunting created a family tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving at a cabin on Smith Mountain during elk season. She also enjoyed family reunions and spending time with her grandchildren and neighbors.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Marvin; brother Darrell Ferns and sister-in-law Ethel of La Pine; daughter Colleen Winters (Winters) of Hermiston, sons Mark Dawson (Leanna) of Enterprise and Lyle Dawson (Barbara) of Red Bluff, Calif.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Nov.14 at Bollman Funeral Home with burial at the Lostine Cemetery.