Dawn Ivonne Thomander Warnick Smith

Dawn Ivonne Thomander Warnick Smith

1939 – 2022

Dawn Ivonne Thomander Warnick Smith stepped out of her earthly body and returned to our Heavenly Father on July 3, 2022.

Dawn was born to Bathsheba May Fisher and Avon Bird Thomander, on June 29, 1939 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She was raised in La Canada, California. She attended BYU in Provo, Utah, where she was a Cougarette. She married Gerald (Jerry) Brunt Warnick in the Los Angeles temple for time and all eternity on November 22, 1961.

Dawn often said that her greatest joy in life was being a Mom and raising her five children. Memories she cherished during these formative years included boating, snow skiing, tennis, family get-togethers, short trips to the beach, and long trips exploring the western US and Canada in the Winnebago. She also loved serving in the Young Women and Relief Society organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had many talents – homemaking, sewing, gourmet cook, oil painting, drafting, and decorating. She returned to BYU at the age of 47 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and helped establish the Interior Design program at Utah Valley Community College (now UVU).

Dawn lost her husband Jerry when she was only 39 years old, left with 5 children to raise between the ages of 16 to 4 yrs old. She battled severe migraines throughout her life, and in recent years, suffered from dementia. Although these trials could have broken her spirit, instead they strengthened her resolve. She was firm in her testimony and discipleship of Jesus Christ; she was grateful for the opportunity to serve four senior church missions. She had great faith and determination to raise her children and give them the best life she could. And she truly did.

Dawn is survived by her brother Daryl Thomander (Nanci); children Jeff (Lisa), Greg (Michelle), Lori Nelson (Perry), Lisa Stewart (Rick), Jenny Engemann (Danny); 27 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 1:45-3:00 pm at Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Interment will be at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.