Richard "Dick" E. Dawson

Richard “Dick” Dawson, 79 passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at home with his wife by his side on Friday, October 20, 2023.  Dick was born on May 26, 1944 to William and Margaret (Bechlem) Dawson in Fond Du Lac. Growing up on a farm in rural Hilbert, Dick developed a lifelong love for raising animals, agriculture, and farming machinery, especially tractors. At the age of 11, Dick moved to Kaukauna and went on to graduate from Kaukauna High School in 1962.  He furthered his education at UW – Stout, graduating with a Master’s degree in Industrial Arts. On August 14, 1971 he was united in marriage with Janie Hoerth at St Elizabeth’s Church, Kloten, located in rural Chilton.  The couple built a home in the rural Town of Kaukauna on a small farm, where they welcomed two sons, Mike and Kevin.  Dick went on to teach industrial arts at Kimberly High School for 27 years, and at Kiel High School until his retirement in 1999.  Dick pursued his hobbies and shared them with his sons as the family raised lambs and sheep.  Collecting was a significant pastime for Dick; he loved going to auctions and perusing thrift stores for treasures. Dick was a fixture at local tractor shows. He could often be found “spinning yarns” with fellow collectors and dealers as he wheeled and dealed for new additions to his ever-growing collection. Dick was a member of several toy tractor clubs, but was especially fond of Case and Allis-Chalmers tractors. He was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.  

Dick is survived by his wife Janie, two sons; Mike (Ann) Dawson, Kevin (Kelsey) Dawson, two grandchildren; Esther and Lewis Dawson, sisters; Ann (Joe) Huber, Ellen (Jay) Szalapski, and Cathy (Eden Anaya) Dawson, brothers; Bob (Blanche) Dawson, Tom Dawson, and Martin (Teresa) Dawson, step-mother Mary Schwebs, mother-in-law Jean Hoerth, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; David (Penny) Hoerth, Joan (Paul) Schmid, Judith Hoerth, Jean Kloehn (Carl Weber), Laurie (David) Levknecht, Diane Hoerth and Linda Hoerth, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Arthur Hoerth, and brothers-in-law Raymond and Richard Hoerth.  

The funeral liturgy for Dick will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer St., Kaukauna.  The funeral mass will be livestreamed at the Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home facebook page.   A time of visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass at church.  Interment will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.  The family would like to thank the VandenBroek-Kaukauna EMT’s and Dr. Michael Werner for all his dedicated care.  

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