Geoffrey Dawes

Geoffrey Dawes, 71, of La Crescent, MN, passed away Thursday, August 24 in his home surrounded by loving family. He was born July 3, 1952, to William and Lois (Bratberg) Dawes. Geoff was a graduate of La Crescent High School and married in 1972 to his wife of 51 years Jeanne (Waldow).

Geoff was an avid outdoorsman, he spent his free time in nature fishing in all seasons, hunting waterfowl and pheasants, as well as deer during bow, muzzle loader, and gun seasons. Each fall from age twelve on, Geoff was tucked into cattails for fall duck hunting and didn’t miss an opening day for nearly sixty years. In the winter months Geoff refined his fly-tying skills and created meticulous trout flies he used in warmer seasons. Fresh caught trout dinners delighted him. After retirement, Geoff and Jeanne discovered the joys of southwest boondocking in their RV with their loyal yellow lab, meeting up with their daughter Lisa for desert exploration. Geoff, Jeanne, their children, family, and friends spent summer weekends camping out under the stars on Mississippi sandbars enjoying beach volleyball, watersports, and campfires. He shared his passion for the great outdoors with his children and this adoration of nature lives on in them through a spirit of outdoor adventure. Throughout his life, he became proficient in woodworking as well as motor and appliance maintenance. Geoff loved to tinker and work on projects; he was able to fix, modify, and build items most could not imagine.

Geoff was an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Crescent and served on the church council several times. He served four years on the La Crescent City Council and as a Boy Scout Leader for Troup #33. Geoff attended Western Technical College earning an associate degree. Geoff worked for a variety of companies including Servomation, Stansfield Vending, Jennings Appliance, the City of La Crescent, and Festival Foods. He retired from Aramark Uniform Services after 25 years as a Route Representative.

Geoff was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in 2017 and underwent a successful stem cell transplant in 2020. However, in June 2022 he was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. His family would like to thank all the dedicated nurses and doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and La Crosse, especially the Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant teams. We would also like to extend our thanks to Benedictine Manor, and to Mayo Hospice who provided empathetic guidance as Geoff transitioned to end of life care.

Geoff is survived by his wife, Jeanne Dawes; three children, Sara (Blake) Peters, Neal Dawes, Lisa Dawes; a sister, Vicki (Allen) Schroeder; two sisters-in-law, Janet (Jack) Miller, and Jennifer (David) Faas; two brothers-in-law, George (Diane) Waldow and James (Stephanie) Waldow; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William “Billy.” Dawes; in-laws Myron and Betty (Broring) Waldow; and one sister-in-law, Jackie (Larry) Moore.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, September 8, 2023 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 414 Main St, La Crescent, MN. Pastor Mark Rieke will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Crescent, or to Gift of Life Transplant House of Rochester, MN, Helping Hand Fund.