On Thursday, April 17, 2025 (a beautiful Spring Day during Easter week), Dawn Nelson Hafen completed her journey on earth surrounded by family at her home in Mesquite, Nevada. She is now having a joyous reunion as she starts the next step in our Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation. She was born February 27, 1936, in Redmond, Utah, a small village famous for salt mines and red knolls. Her father, Charles Elmer Nelson, was aged 50, and her mother, Margaret Kate Jensen, was 43. They named her “Dawn” for this new era in their lives. Already an aunt when she was born, she grew up with nieces and nephews and cousins. Her Uncle Hilton lived on the other corner of the block with each brother having a barn between their houses. Farm chores and playtime were mixed together in this idyllic setting. Dawn attended elementary school in Redmond, and North Sevier High in Salina. She ventured to Cedar City and the College of Southern Utah but returned every weekend “back home to Redmond.” She graduated in 1958 with her teaching degree. Growing up on a farm, she was determined not to marry a farmer. Traveling through Nevada on family vacations, she vowed never to live there. A dashing sophomore, who was a Disc Jockey for the college radio, complete with a charming personality, crew cut, and a 1958 Ford Fairline convertible, asked her out on a date. He thought she was a high school, Senior. She was about to graduate from college. They dated a while, but after a quarrel, they broke up. Bryan played the song “Return to Me” on air. At the end of the song he said,”I wish she would.” They were married March 14, 1959. He was a farmer. They lived in Nevada. The convertible is still in their garage. Dawn taught school in Moapa and Virgin Valley. Reading was emphasized in her classroom and students were tasked with reading at home and bringing back notes. “Caterpillar” and “ice cream” charts marked their progress. The Boxcar Children and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were read out loud. Vibrant bulletin boards were utilized to accent the subjects, seasons and students and each student had their own “Friend of the Week” bulletin board. Dawn’s testimony of our Savior and His gospel is tremendous and enduring. She served Him in many capacities. Temple attendance with a group of her “Church Sisters” was a joy. When in charge of a lesson, program, or party, she included a noteworthy song or reading, centerpiece with coordinating tablecloth, handout and treat. (Her friend Noma Houston ensured everything was the trendiest.) Serving many, but ministering to the one, she would check on a Primary child who had not attended that day or take an extra “handout” or treat to a shut in. Her last official calling was with her friend Pat Reber when they were called to be “Grandmas” to the Young Women. Her life’s work was her boys! Cub Scouts. Boy Scouts. Athletics. Future Farmers of America. Good Grades. Church activities. Cooking. Cleaning. Prodding. Encouraging. Demanding. Praying. Loving. She had three goals. Eagle Scout. Mission. Temple Marriage. Times five. These goals were accomplished, all the while giving heed to free agency. The boys could attend church and like it, or they could attend church and not like it. Either way, the boys attended church! For this work she was rewarded with 25 wonderful grandchildren who she unceasingly spoiled. Although she had a booming teachers’ voice, she never used it on her grandkids. They looked forward to her taking them birthday shopping, but school clothes shopping was exhausting. She wanted them to try on “just one more outfit.” Dawn is survived by her five sons and daughters in law, Nelson and Laurel of St. George, Derek and Sandy of Bunkerville, Kraig and Aron, Merlin and Victoria, and Tilman and Jennifer of Mesquite, 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, sister Lora Dee Christensen of Las Vegas, brothers and sisters-in-law Tim Hafen of Pahrump, Monta Hafen of Mesquite, Doug and Ann Hafen of St George. Preceded in death by her husband, daughters-in-law Kim and Susan, grandson Max, brother and sisters Tilman (Bessie), Melva (Lloyd) Johnson, Lyal (Merlin) Ashman, Vergie (Leedrow) Anderson, De Lora Nelson, brothers-in-law Gary Hafen and Don Christensen, and niece/close friend Kay Ashman Christensen. The family would like to thank Haille, Heather, Angela, Paula, Karina, Lori, Jaren and Akilah, Estelle and Sarah for their devoted care and attention to our mom. Kim Thompson for doing her nails, Karen Off and all the girls with holes in their jeans at Fringe Salon for keeping her hair pretty, Aunt Monta for her daily phone calls and rides, Aunt Dee for her calls, cruises, and Conference Weekend cabin trips, and Victoria for her work and loving care these last few years. Viewing will be Friday, April 25, from 5:00 to 7:00pm (all times Nevada time) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center on 100 N Arrowhead Lane and Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 10:30am at the same location. Funeral Services will be at 11:00am with burial after the services in the Mesquite Cemetery on Hillside Drive. Live streaming through Star Mortuary.  Family and friends are invited to leave condolences and memories at www.starmortuary.com

Sister Arianne Gardner has returned after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Iowa, Iowa City mission. Arianne is the daughter of Hans and Shirleen Gardner of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Sister Gardner spoke on April 27th. Welcome home!

Missionary Letters Sister Dantzel Park Read Letter Sister Jasmin Bundy Read Letter Elder Gunner McOmie Read Letter Elder Drake Wakefield Read Letter Elder Connor Zarate Read Letter Elder Cameron Spilker Read Letter Sister Abbie Wilson Read Letter Elder Gunner McOmie Read Letter Sister Dantzel Park Read Letter Elder Cameron Wright Read Letter Elder Andrew Maxfield Read Letter Sister Dantzel Park Read Letter

d1b2422e-7c40-454a-b1cb-90b4c5227b21 Elder Cameron Spilker Back to Missionary Letters Happy Easter! Whats up! Happy Easter! This week was awesome 👌 Found a new english friend so we might have 3 people instead of 2 come to english class now Taught the first lesson to a pastor that we found and he said he had a service opportunity for us Accidentally did a trash picking up activity with a not so good church shin cheon ji 😅 Ate some fire bibimbap for second hour of church on Sunday Successful made it to and from elders conference and it was so good plus got to see a bunch of buddies from the mtc. Mcm leader 🐐(the goat) gave us another load of pork plus oranges tomatoes and rice. Also told us he bought a ping pong robot a while back and it was in the closet of the church. Told a guy we hadn't eaten and he walked us across town for a burger and he didn't eat with us. Found an all you can eat pork nice restaurant for 10,000 won so like 8 dollars. Had know idea that was here the whole time but I will be going back. For our zone this month we are memorizing scriptures and it has helped me share them better and think about them throughout the day. I know that when we really feast upon the scriptures we can be filled with joy and better share it with others have a good week! Previous Letter Next Letter

8c65f151-ed9a-4b13-90a6-630b0a8897eb Sister Abbie Wilson Back to Missionary Letters CANES AND BASHING Hey guys this week was so much fun. But next week will be a treat haha. Just you wait. Anyways how was your week?? Email me, text me!! Let me know how youre doing! Monday was a blast! We had District Pday which is always fun. We went to Amherst where we played pickleball an basketball! It honestly was so much fun. I think that was the day our district got pretty close with each other. We started telling each other things and started trusting each other. That is my favorite thing ever. Later that night we all went to Taco Bell and had a late night snack which was a party! Tuesday was a lot of fun too!! We have this challenge that is called Spring Forward. It is to help us get motivated for the Spring and Summer months since Winter was pretty brutal. The challenege was a scavneger hunt which was so much fun!! After that we had dinner at the Richardson's and then had a lesson with our friend Brandon! He is one of the coolest friends we have found! He really wants to be baptized and wants to join the church before he leaves for the military! Wednesday we drove to New Hampshire! Shhh don't tell anyone haha. Just kidding we got permission to go but not to stay an extra hour. We went to go get a car inspection which took 15 minutes so we made a decision to stay. It was so worth it though because we got to go to Canes, to get the best food ever! We also met up with some other missionaries which was a blast! As we drove home we watched and I listened to a church movie that was playing. We also talked the whole time during the movie so I'm going to have to watch it all over again! We honestly were so tired after getting home, but we got invited to do Yoga that night with the Young Women so we went! It was kind of embarrassing haha. We had people of all ages doing it, and it was funny watching them. I felt like I was hurting myself more then stretching, but the instructor told me I was doing great so I'm going to take that as a win haha! Thursday I did exchanges with my old comp and let me tell you something, I was not excited. I honestly was scared out of my MIND!!! When we got there, I told Sister Pieroni that we should just get back in the car to leave and she just laughed at me haha. I might've been a little over dramatic (like I always am) but I was nervous. Anyways we had a pretty alright day. It was pretty awkward for the most part but the miracles that came were amazing. We were teaching our friend Gary the Restoration and the Word of Wisdom (since he walked in with a coffee in his hand) and we told him he wouldn't be able to drink that if he wanted to get baptized. As soon as I said that he stood up dumped his coffee out and said "I'm done. If God doesn't want me to drink it, then I'm not going to." Honestly I needed that faith right there haha. The next lesson we had went off the rails. He started to kind of bash us. I have never been put in that situation before but it all started with Adam and Eve and didn't stop until Sister Grgich ended it. I just want to let you guys know that it wasn't me bashing with him haha. Friday was District Council!!! It was so much fun seeing the Elders and being with other missionaries again! They are always so much fun! After District Council we went to Wendys for lunch. We all just sat and talked and planned our next District Pday together which was going to be so much fun. (Since this email is late, you'll get another one in the morning about why it was "fun" but fun haha) Saturday we helped a member clean her house all day!! Like ALL DAY!!! It was a lot and she had told us that it had been a year and a half since shes really tried to clean it. I am grateful for my clean house and I'm sorry mom that I am messy. We also did a lot of organizing which was nice. I hope when I have my own house, that I can keep it clean! (Let's hope at least haha). Sunday we did the same thing haha. We went to church had so many friends show up and guys guess what.... We put another friend on date for baptism!!! His name is Yvenson and he is so cool. We can't wait for him to be baptized and I'm so happy for him. He is always so kind to us and caring. Oh and I forgot to mention that he only speaks French. I guess he speaks a little bit of English but mostly French so it is so much fun trying to communicate with them! ANYWAYS.... Be grateful for everything, follow the first prompting, pay attention to the little things, pray always, and remember HE loves you and remember to love each other!! 143, SISTER WILSON Previous Letter Next Letter