Patricia (Pat) Ann Dawson Hern, fought the good fight and finished her race on January 2, 2025 (her 72nd birthday) after battling ovarian cancer for 10+ years.   Pat was born January 2, 1953, in Miami, OK, the 3rd child to Bobbie Wayne and Mary Louise (Lawrence) Dawson.  The family lived in Grove, OK and Canyon, TX before moving to the Wheeless community, west of Boise City, OK in December of 1956.  She attended an 8 grade, two-room schoolhouse where she had two other female classmates.  In July 1962, the family bought what became known as the Dawson Ranch next to Lake Carl Etling, (Black Mesa State Park).  The children transferred to the Boise City School District when Pat was in the 4th grade.  At an early age Pat accepted the Lord as her Savior during VBS.  Pat, her mom, and sister were all baptized shortly after in a creek east of Kenton, OK where they attended church.

Pat learned to ride horses early and help on the cattle ranch.  The family worked together with the many activities of ranch life: moving cattle, building fence, and flanking calves.  Pat also learned gardening, cooking, canning, and sewing.  She was active in 4-H Club by showing steer calves, learning to sew more precisely, and improving leadership skills by holding different offices in the club.  Pat learned piano as a child and enjoyed playing a clarinet in the band.  Upon entering high school, her interest moved towards playing basketball and running track plus continuing with 4-H projects of cooking and sewing (even sewing a couple of her prom dresses).  Graduating from Boise City High School in 1971, she attended college at Panhandle State University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Economics in 1975.  During her time at PSU, she was chosen as the 1971 Block and Bridle Sweetheart, and in the fall of 1974 she was selected as Homecoming Queen.  After graduation, Pat took a position with Mesa Petroleum Company (T. Boone Pickens), Amarillo, TX, in the accounting and tax departments.  Rodney was teaching school in Texhoma, OK where mutual friends introduced them and they married on June 11, 1977.  Pat worked for J-M Commodities in Texhoma.  They moved to Wakita, OK, in June of 1979 where Rodney continued to teach.  Shawn was born on March 14, 1980 followed by Dan born on August 16, 1981.  Eventually, Pat and Rodney became full time farmer/rancher's where Pat assisted Rodney in driving the tractor, trucks, hauling bales, and numerous other jobs.  Pat was a long time member of the Wakita Christian Church where she served in several capacities, including teaching Sunday School and being church treasurer.  She and Rodney worked together as leaders of the youth group.  Pat enjoyed working in her garden and was always generous with sharing her yummy vegetables.  Pat read the rural water meters and was their bookkeeper for 35 years.  She spent hours keeping family history records updated and served as the Wakita Educational Foundation Treasurer for 22 years.  Pat had a keen eye for details and would assist others in proofreading.  She has been a faithful Wakita community member for over 45 years.  Pat loved her Lord and had a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, attempting to live in obedience to His Word.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Louise Dawson and in-laws, Clayton and Virginia Hern.

Family was always most important to her.  She enjoyed sharing what her children and grandchildren were doing in their lives.  Pat is survived by her faithful husband, Rodney; her son, Shawn (Caitlin) of Yukon, OK and their children Lanie, Callen and Brecken; son, Dan (Shara) of Tampa, FL and their children Kingsley and Asher.  She is also survived by her siblings: Harold (Judy) Dawson of Boise City, OK, and Linda (Alan) Whitt of Bremerton, WA, and her sister-in-law, Becky (Jim) Hollander, Cache, OK, and sister-in-law, Ann (George) Frisbie, Minco, OK; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 1:30 PM at the Wakita Christian Church with Pastor Jeff Enabnit officiating and Pastor Eric Frisbie assisting.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to the Wakita Christian Church or Hospice Circle of Love and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St, Anthony, KS 67003.