Helen Wilcox Dawson

Dallas Morning News, The (TX)
December 29, 2004

HELEN WILCOX DAWSON, 89, the granddaughter of the first settlers in Wright County, Iowa, died of heart failure on December 26, 2004, at Medical City in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, on April 24, 1915, to Stephen and Lucretia Stryker Wilcox, the youngest of the six daughters. She graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1933 and from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. Helen met Lyle Dawson and they married on August 2, 1941. After a memorable honeymoon trip to Estes Park in Colorado, the couple made their home in Des Moines for the next 50 years, until Lyle's death in 1992. Helen held a number of business positions during her career. When she retired in 1979, she was executive secretary to the late Karl Kasten, then Vice President of Drake University. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, enjoyed playing the organ and loved to listen to many different styles of music. Helen always loved the family farm and along with other family members actively supported the Wilcox Reforestation Woods on Wright County farmland owned by the family. The preserve was established in order to preserve for future generations of Iowans a small part of the forests that once covered their home state. Since 2001, Helen has lived in Dallas, Texas, at Vickery Towers Retirement Home in order to be closer to two of her children there. Helen was a very caring person who never ceased helping others. She had a great sense of humor and a never-ending curiosity about the world around her. Helen is survived by her three children: son Stephen Dawson and wife Barbara, of Richardson; TX, daughter Shelley Dawson and husband Herb Baerwaldt of Dallas; and son Dr. Stuart Dawson and wife, Sandy, of Commack, New York; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren and one sister, Alice Farmer; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends in both Iowa and Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband and four sisters. In keeping with Helen's interests and wishes, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to "Bryan's House" (hospice for children with Aids), P. O. Box 35868, Dallas, TX 75235 or to "Drake University" 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311-4505. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, December 29, 2004 at 4:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, 4105 Junius Street (at Haskell), Dallas, TX 75246. The family will receive guests following the service at 4821 Tremont Street, Dallas, TX 75246.