DAWN MICHELLE THURSTON

A Celebration of Life for Dawn Michelle Hine Thurston will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at  Angler's Rest in Glendo, Wyoming. Dawn Michelle Loftis was born on Tuesday, September 16, 1969 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and passed away in her sleep at her mother’s home in Glendo, Wyoming at the age of fifty-two. Her mother, Debbie Blackshere and daughter, Dallas Thurston were at her side the night she went. Dawn fought terminal ovarian cancer for a little over three years before her body could no longer withstand chemo or radiation treatments.

Dawn grew up on a ranch in Hesperus, Colorado with her mother after her father passed away when she was still an infant. Dawn was an active member in 4-H, FFA, and the high school rodeo team, not to mention several achievements as a rodeo queen. She loved the country and the ways of life brought with it. She was always one to help with the cattle, chores around the ranch, as well as her own projects through her breeding course in 4-H. After spending most of her adolescence in the Durango area, she chose to take her senior year of high school in Manti, Utah with her Aunt Dixie and Uncle Jim. Dawn attended several institutions in Colorado Springs and majored in Forensic Science, as well as earned her CNA in nursing.

After spending most of her younger days competing in rodeo, she experienced many different jobs ending with pipelining. This type of career path allowed Dawn to travel and learn special skills as a welder’s helper, where she next advanced to become the job site’s strict safety inspector. The pipelines brought her to Glendo, Wyoming ten years ago where she had decided to plant her roots. Going back to small town living, Dawn decided to take a break from her old life and settle down with a quiet job at the local Fast Stop and motel. Dawn quickly grew to love the area and made many friends. She often helped neighbors with lawn work, cleaning services, sewing projects, babysitting, and even sold her own craft projects at the local shops, fairs, and bazaars. She was also very handy in the kitchen and with sewing, jewelry making, and basket crafting. She was fond of her little house and all the hard work she put into making it a home for not only herself but her family. Dawn was a remarkable woman who held lots of pride; there wasn’t much she couldn’t do when she put her mind to it.

Dawn birthed two children, Jake Hill Hine (31) and Dallas Rae Thurston (27). Both live in Colorado. Her granddaughter, Paisley Grace, often visits and enjoyed crafting or cooking around the house with her Mama Dawn. Paisley always kept her on her toes and loved to drag her off into the woods to find mushrooms or to the rock cliffs to dig for crystals and gems. Dawn’s son,

Jake also gifted her with a grandson, Roan Tate, two years ago. Her daughter, Dallas moved to Denver three years ago and often made trips to Glendo, and assisted taking care of her mother with all her visits to and from the doctors. Her mother, Debbie, was her best friend. It was not often the two were seen apart, but usually never too far away. Frank Blackshere married Deb right before Dawn’s daughter was born and had become a very important figure in Dawn’s life. These past trying years have been rough for the family but truly brought them closer than ever. She will be missed, but fondly remembered.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

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