Jean Louise Dawson

Jean Louise Dawson, age 82, of Backus, MN, born on August 24, 1943, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gary Dawson, parents Lorene and Harold Davis, her sister Marilyn Davis, and her daughter Linda Sue Dawson. She is survived by her children Carol “Caroline” Dawson, Thomas John “TJ” Dawson, Thomas “Tom” Letson (Elizabeth “Liz”); grandchildren, U.S. Navy Lt. Jacob “Jake” (Dana) Letson, and U.S. Marines Captain Donald “Donny” (Morgan) Letson; and great-grandchildren, Dean, Miles, and Kate Letson.

Her career as a journalist consisted of serving as a political reporter for Phillips Legislative Service and for her own publication, “The Minnesota Government Report.” She also created and published the Mahtomedi Area Press.

She was active in numerous community and charitable organizations such as the American Legion Auxiliary, both Post 507 Mahtomedi, MN, and Post 368 in Backus, MN. She also served as Mayor for Mahtomedi in 1972 and continued on in an advisory role to the Mahtomedi City Council for several years. She served as President for both the Mahtomedi Business and Professionals Association and the Good Neighbor Club. She served as the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce Director and Chair of the Backus Cornfest Parade Committee, as well as volunteering for the Eagles Healing Nest, and many other causes.

She enjoyed gardening, fishing, reading and knitting baby blankets for friends and churches, as well as hats for the military troops.

A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held at the Backus American Legion in Backus, MN on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2-6 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that any memorial gifts be made to the Backus American Legion/Auxiliary or the Eagles Healing Nest for wounded veterans, in Sauk Centre, MN.