Jean Marie Dawson nee Tiedemann

Jean Marie Dawson nee Tiedemann

Born to Peter Thomas and Irma Tiedeman in 1936. Jean was the youngest of four children; Mae, Edward, Ellen and Jean.

Jean was a lifelong member of St. Paul Church. Her great grandfather gave the property on Mannheim Road to build the first church. Jean was excited to go to Sunday School, and the year she was finally old enough to attend, the church burned down. The church was rebuilt at its current location of Calwagner and King Streets in Frankin Park.

Franklin Park was a small community during the days of her childhood, with few activities for children during the summers. Jean would attend all of the different churches Sunday Schools to keep busy.

Jean spent her whole life living in the funeral home except for the past few years of her life.

Jean was a Sunday School Teacher for many years, a member of the bell choir, a member of the church council, couples club with St. Paul's Church. She was a member of the Jobs Daughters, and was very active in school. Jean was the majorette for Leyden High School marching band, played in the band and participate in many other activities. After highschool, Jean attended Grinnell College in Iowa for two years. There she met and fell in love with Clyde. They were married June 17, 1956 just after Clyde graduated from Grinnell. They moved to Wisconsin for the first year of married life, and then moved back to Franklin Park where they both began working at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home. After many years, they became the owners of the funeral home. Together the raised two wonderful children, Stephen (Tammi) Dawson and Rebecca (Donald) Kuntz.  Jean went back to college to earn her BA degree at Elmhurst College with a teaching certificate. She was very active with the PTA and did substitute teaching. As the children moved into high school, she became active in the Parents Club, and the AFS (American Field Service) foreign exchange group. She and her family hosted three Foreign Exchange Students. She served on the Franklin Park Library Board, and was the president of the Franklin Park Woman's Club. Jean was also the Treasurer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Women's Club for many years. She always kept close contact with many high school friends. She and Clyde also enjoyed many outings with the Franklin Park Social Club.

As her children married, she developed strong friendships with all of the new in laws. Enjoying dinners, game playing, and traveling with them.

Jean was a joyful and loving grandmother with open arms and a lap on which she would read and snuggle with them. Her grandchildren are Timothy (Claire) Dawson, Christian (Erin) Dawson, Don Kuntz (Nathan Ferguson), Eleanor Kuntz, and Jane Kuntz. She was a proud Great Grandmother to Theodore and Isla Dawson.

Somewhere along the way, Jean and Clyde bought a home in Buena Vista Club on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Their home became the gathering place for family and friends.

Jean and Clyde traveled the world and enjoyed sharing all of their adventures with family and friends.

She was always happy and proud and loved all of her family. She loved to have company and delighted in cooking and baking.

Jean will be sorely missed by many.

Visitation will take place on Monday, August 7, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium, 9568 Belmont Ave., Franklin Park.

She will be lying in state at St. Paul's Evangelical Covenant Church, 3342 Calwagner Street, Franklin Park, Il from 10:00 am until time of service 11:00 am.

Memorials in Jean's honor may be given to St. Paul's Evangelical Covenant Church, 3342 Calwagner Street, Franklin Park, Il 60131, or Open Arms Free Clinic, 205 Commerce Court, Elkhorn, Wi 53121.

For information please call the funeral home at (847) 678-1950. or www.sax-tiedemann.com.