On Thursday, March 22, 2012, God needed a cowgirl angel and called LaDawn home, where her Dad was waiting to meet her at heaven's gate.
One year ago, LaDawn was diagnosed with a brain tumor; with courage and faith, she met this challenge without complaint.
LaDawn was born on April 9, 1966, in Clarkston. She grew up on Montgomery Ridge in Anatone.
LaDawn started school at Anatone and graduated from Asotin-Anatone High School in 1984. She went on to Kinman Business College in Spokane and graduated with a business degree.
In 1985, LaDawn married Rick Robinson and together they had two wonderful children; they were the light of LaDawn's life. This marriage later ended in divorce. She married John Ely in 1999; shortly after they were married, they bought a ranch in Cloverland. This was a dream come true for LaDawn to live the life she always wanted, raising cattle, horses and being a landowner.
Being a hard worker and never afraid of challenges, LaDawn tried several occupations including: CableOne, Asotin County Conservation District, Pathologist Regional Laboratory and she was also a bus driver for both Lewiston and Asotin schools. She found her niche, however, when she became a teaching assistant for the junior high special education program in Asotin. She truly loved all of her students and was determined to make a difference in their lives.
LaDawn was a member of the Anatone Methodist Church and Diamond J Cowboy Ministries. She was Asotin County Fair and Rodeo queen in 1982 and Lewiston Roundup Queen in 1984.
After marrying John, she quickly became involved in the rodeo stock contracting business, which became a family business; she was very proud to work with her husband, Derk and RaeDawn. LaDawn loved horses and enjoyed riding with her family. Being part of Bar X Rodeos, she was most proud of her involvement with the rodeo Bible camps. As a devout Christian, she found true joy in sharing her faith with the kids of the rodeo community, along with bucking horses and bulls.
LaDawn is survived by her husband, John Ely of Asotin; son Derk Robinson of Clarkston; daughter RaeDawn Robinson of Asotin; mother and stepfather Crystal and Vern Uptmor of Lewiston; brother Curtis and Melanie Dodd of Clarkston; father-in-law Jim Ely and wife Merrildine; sisters-in-law June Crum and Dale of Finley, Wash., and Kate Ely of Finley; brother-in-law Steve Ely; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. LaDawn was blessed with many friends and many were blessed to have her as a friend.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald R. Dodd, and her grandparents, Harold and Irene Dodd, and Archie and Aline Fuller.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at Merchant Funeral Home in Clarkston. Officiating will be LaDawn's uncle, Dallas Dodd, and close family friend Al Parsons.
A covered-dish dinner will follow at the Bennett Building, Asotin County Fairgrounds, Asotin. A family graveside service will be later that afternoon at the Anatone Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of Merchant Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.
merchantfuneralhome.com.