Dawn Louise Peck

MONTREAL, Wis. — Dawn Louise Peck (Nyquist), 68, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her husband, Bill, and close family on Jan. 29, 2020, in Montreal.

Dawn was born April 4, 1951, in Waukegan, Illinois, daughter of Tauno and Virginia (Hannula) Nyquist. She graduated in 1969 from Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and received her Bachelor of Science in social work from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, in 1973. She married William Peck in 1974 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After moving to Burlington in 1974, Dawn began working for Best Homes as a social worker and activities director. She continued this work when they relocated in 1976 to Kenosha at Woodstock Nursing Home and again in 1999 at Westgate Living Center in Ironwood, Michigan, when they moved to Montreal.

Dawn finished her career as a social worker and caregiver for Aspirus Hospice and Home Health Care in Ironwood, retiring in 2016. 

Dawn served as a long-time board member of the Hurley Public Library Board. A special place for Bill and Dawn was Island Lake in Iron County. So special, they decided to build their retirement home on the lake.  Unfortunately, due to health problems, that dream ended, and they had to sell their property.

Dawn loved to read, garden and was an accomplished baker. She lived her life quietly and compassionately, devoting her professional life to helping others. Her friends and family will remember her for her devotion to her family, her generous spirit, and her humble nature.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Tauno and Virginia Nyquist; brother, Randall “Randy”; and in-laws, William and Anne Peck.

Dawn is survived by her husband, William “Bill;” sister, Carol (Bill) Runnerstrom, Waukegan, Illinois; brother-in-law, David (Debbie), Waterford; niece and goddaughter, Sarah, Racine; and her cousins, Pat Kangas, Montreal, Karen (Paul) Hagemann, Hurley, Judy Peterson, Superior, Kathy (Anne) Kangas, Dousman, Rochelle (Rod) Erickson, Ironwood, and Kathleen Coullard, Rose City, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. with Pastor Doug Norquist officiating. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dawn’s life. Cake and coffee will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hurley Public Library Interlibrary Loan program at 405 Fifth Ave. North, Hurley, WI 54534. Condolences can be sent to mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the hospital staff at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, the staff at Aspirus Home Health Services, with a thank you to special friend and nurse, Sue Roberts, as well as private caregiver, Chris Holems. Also thank you to Mr. Friedli and the Aspirus Hurley Clinic staff.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, to honor Dawn’s legacy of life.