Dawn Dettling

Dawn R. Dettling died Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at her home in Cannon Falls after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born September 4, 1960 in Faribault, MN, to Martin P. and Alicia (Lehmann) Dettling. At the age of 5, her family moved to Lake Byllesby where she grew up in an idyllic environment with the endless pleasures of living on a lake all year round.

She graduated from Randolph High School in 1978 and being a slight overachiever, received a B.S. degree in accounting in 3 years from Winona State University before she reached the age of 21. She passed all four parts of the CPA exam on the first try. She worked at 4 different CPA firms in Cannon Falls, Waseca, and St. Paul, where she gained a wealth of experience in finance and tax. She was also exposed to a wide range of differing operating methods in running a CPA firm, which greatly impacted her when she opened her own practice in Cannon Falls.

In 1991, Dawn took an unexpected detour and served almost 3 years in the U.S. Peace Corps in La Paz, Honduras, Central America. She worked in small villages with women artisans and in establishing, maintaining, and operating FINCA banks (similar to savings and loan institutions.) She experienced life in a way that 50 years in the U.S. couldn’t compare to, and it molded and shaped her into the woman she became.

Upon returning to the states, Dawn opened her own CPA firm in the fall of 1994. She wanted more than to just provide a service or product to her clients, she wanted to build both professional and personal relationships with them and to always be fair and honest. Looking back over almost 26 years of being in business, she was humbled to realize she did just that with her clients who became friends, and some even like family to her.

Dawn’s faith is what really grounded, centered, and guided her throughout her life. She worshiped at Bethlehem Baptist Church in downtown Minneapolis since 2005 and was faithfully involved in several ministries and women’s bible studies. She served in the Titus II Ministry for 13.5 years to the same younger woman, who was like a daughter to her. She also served in the nursery program every Sunday for the last 15 years, working with 2- and 3-year-olds! It was truly a calling on her life, and Sundays were her highlight.

She also served for 10 years in the Charis Prison Ministry, which was a huge blessing to watch God change and transform many men’s lives right before her eyes. And, locally, from May through December, she served at the Cannon Falls Food Shelf for the past 25 years.

She loved reading, walking, working, serving, and spending time with family, friends, and clients.

Dawn was at total peace upon receiving her cancer diagnosis and couldn’t wait to go home to be with her LORD and SAVIOR.

She is survived by her parents, Marty and Alicia and three brothers, Phil (Tracy), Shad (Holly) and Craig. She was proud to be Auntie to Danielle, Brianna (Ryan) Prechel, Jake (Maggie), Jessica, Nick (Sarah), Phillip, and Mathew, and to great nieces and nephews, Divinity, Dayton, Colton, Benjamon, Annabelle, and Cane. She is also survived by an uncle, aunts, and cousins.

A private family service will be held. In Dawn’s memory, contributions may be made to donor’s choice.