Dawn A. Smith

Dawn A. Smith, 62, of Marquette, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at her home. Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 23rd at 11 a.m. at the Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City. Visitation will be on Friday, July 22nd from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Burial will be at the Central City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Dawn A. Sterling, was born on November 18, 1953 to John and Gladys Sterling in Chicago, Illinois. Dawn spent her young years in the Chicago area until her family moved to Miami, Florida. Dawn remained in Florida graduating from High School and attending Junior College there. Gil Smith and Dawn Sterling were married on March 31, 1973 in Homestead, Florida. Shortly after they were married they made a trip to Nebraska, and eventually moved to the Palmer area. While in Palmer, Dawn worked for Ensley Electric out of Grand Island as a secretary and bookkeeper for over 15 years. Dawn and Gil then moved to Willow Bend near Marquette in the fall of 1993. Dawn worked for Allied Tour and Travel out of Grand Island, where she setup tours and travel plans for people and operated the Greyhound Bus Depot in Grand Island until her stroke forced her to retire. Dawn was a very busy woman, which led her to be a willing volunteer for many events and organizing several different functions. She loved her music, and was a gifted singer, singing for many weddings and funerals as well as playing guitar. She was a puzzle enthusiast and put together too many puzzles to count. Her extremely devout faith led her to be involved in many different aspects of her church; including Wednesday nights children’s ministries. Her greatest two loves were her faith and her family. She always was one who wanted to be able to spread the gospel to anyone who was willing to listen. Dawn was a member of the Wesleyan Church in Palmer, and the Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Gil of Marquette; her children – Charissa Smith of Marquette and Scott Smith also of Marquette; her siblings – Judy Sterling of Chicago, IL; Phyllis Ruggeri of Apache Junction, AZ; and Tom (Susan) Sterling of Riverside, CA. Also left to cherish her memory from the Smith family are – Anna Mary Smith of St. Paul, NE; Carol Vinson of Greenwood, NE; Carl Smith of Bilonia, AR; Harold (Diane) Smith of Waverly, NE; and many dearly loved nieces and nephews, along with her very special Bible Study Group. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother – Bill Sterling.

Dawn A. Smith

November 18, 1953 - July 19, 2016