Dawn Alette Rosvold

Some people collect things. Dawn Rosvold collected experiences, friendships, and family memories. Then, she delighted in sharing them with everyone she loved.

Dawn was born on Oct 18, 1949 in Faribault, MN to Harlan and Joyce (Dalbotten) Rosvold. She was baptized at Vang Lutheran Church in Dennison, MN and spent her early years in Kenyon. Her family moved to Mendota Heights where she was a cheerleader for the Henry Sibley Warriors and graduated in 1967.

After completing her elementary education degree at University of Minnesota Duluth, Dawn taught for a few years in Kansas City and then changed direction to begin her career as a flight attendant at Northwest Airlines. Along with world travels, she created lifelong friendships with her coworkers. The crew met for lunch many times a year and remained a close group through all life’s changes. Her photo albums are filled with pictures from trips with those coworkers, especially in Europe and Asia.

She shared her travel benefits with her parents and family. Her accidental Bangkok trip with her mother became one of the favorites. They planned a trip to South Korea, but were diverted to Bangkok and made the most of the unexpected destination. She visited London, Norway, Alaska, the Caribbean and across the U.S. with her nieces and nephews. She was always up for an adventure with friends and family. Paging through her passports was like a geography lesson.

Dawn was the family and friend caretaker. If you needed a place to stay for a few days or weeks, she always had an empty bedroom. If you needed someone to accompany you to medical appointments, she was ready with a pen and paper to take notes. She cared for her aging parents, and welcomed her mother into her home after her father passed.

Along with traveling, Dawn was also ready for any Broadway show, musical performance, or trip to a casino. She owned a home in Green Valley, AZ and made her last trip there in February, hitting every casino on the way down. If she was in London, she made sure to catch a show and especially loved Cats and Starlight Express.

Dawn was the best daughter, sister, aunt and friend you could have. She is survived by 4 siblings, Greg (Carol Hammar) Rosvold, Vickie Hart, Todd (Sue) Rosvold and Steve (Pat) Rosvold. She had special connections with her nieces and nephews, and the great nieces and nephews that came to see her as a bonus Grandma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan and Joyce Rosvold, sister and brother-in-law Bonnie and John Risius, and sister-in-law Jan Rosvold.

For a woman who spent her life helping others discover the world, there is comfort in imagining she has simply boarded one final flight, destination known, window seat secured, eager to see what lies beyond the horizon. Those fortunate enough to have traveled beside her, whether across oceans or simply through everyday life, carry forward the life maps she drew with her generosity, curiosity, and steadfast love.

Dawn requested no flowers for her funeral, directing memorials to Minnesota Public Broadcasting, or your favorite charity.