Dawn Wenonah Anderson – February 18, 1964 – February 14, 2023.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Dawn Wenonah Anderson passed away at her home in Lawrence, Kansas. She was 58.
Dawn was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating high school from Mary Institute. Dawn graduated from the University of Kansas at Lawrence with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, her interests focused on theater and stage design. Dawn was involved in numerous productions as a stage manager in and around Lawrence and Kansas City. By day, Dawn worked in the customer services departments of several corporations.
Dawn is survived by a brother, Joel, of Columbia, Missouri and a nephew, Jonathan, also of Columbia, and by her birth sister, Cathy, who she recently located and with whom she formed a strong bond. Dawn is also survived by her aunt Hattie and by numerous cousins, most notably Chanda and Thiess who were very close to Dawn.
A small ceremony will be held in St. Louis at the gravesite of her parents, John and Dorothea Anderson, in late March. Friends of Dawn are encouraged to post their memories and stories about Dawn so that they may be shared at her memorial and passed on to her family.
Dawn was such a sweet sensitive soul. I remember Dawn for her stash of gum at her desk & her always having a band-aid. I saw her in August & she shared her big brother & nephew were doing well & she had met her sister, told me of the close bond they had built. I’m glad I stopped to chat with Dawn. Gone too soon.
Your friendship always meant a lot to me. Our times at LCT will always be happy memories.
It has been many years since we have been with Dawn but for a time before we moved away she was in our circle of friends. Sidekick to (Jon) Hobble and (Mike) Munjak, she was always present for tons of fun and just day-to-day life. Dear quiet Dawn may have stood back and watched the more extraverted of us make complete fools of ourselves and put ourselves out there for the sake of having a great time but she was always there, game for a fun time, providing many snickers, and sometimes a well-deserved judgmental side eye. I specifically remember her design talents shared with Lawrence Community Theater productions, one summer working with her and others at a Sandstone Theater concession stand to help raise money for LCT (we worked through OzzFest, Cher, and all the popular boy bands of the time), and the many personal times together just around town and in individual homes. For many years, we worked together at Sallie Mae where she was a trusted colleague. I was really saddened to hear her life gone at such a young age. Sending our thoughts to the Anderson family as well as Dawn’s dear friends as they mourn their loss and and remember the good times.
I was so blessed to have had the pleasure of getting to know you and calling you my friend. You had one of the sweetest spirits I’ve know, with the golden heart to match. May you rest in paradise friend/sister.
I hope Heaven allows for Sunday brunch, so we can meet with friends and enjoy laughs again. Thank you for your friendship over the years. Rest in peace.