Dawna Jean Van Otterloo

Dawna Jean Van Otterloo (Solomonson)

Dawna passed away peacefully the morning of February 26th, 2022, at her home. She was born in Minneapolis on February 10, 1947, to Warren and Virginia (Olson) Solomonson. She graduated from Washburn High School 1965, then moved to Mankato to attend Mankato State University and received her degree in Elementary Education in 1971. Later she went back to college to receive her Master’s degree. Dawna taught 41 years for the St. Peter Public School District, spending most of her career in 2nd grade. Marriage to Marlow Van Otterloo came on December 18, 1971. They made Mankato their home and grew their family with daughters Beth and Becca. Dawna’s passion for flowers led her to work part time for 22 years at Hilltop Florist helping customers and designing floral arrangements. Her love for gardening and planting thousands of tulips and zinnias led her to make weekly arrangements for friends and neighbors that brought both herself and others so much joy. Her main passion was teaching children and she has touched so many lives. The loves of her life were born in 2012, her twin grandsons. Dawna’s strong bond with the two boys had her talking about them to anyone that would listen. Her conversations were of kind, caring and compassion to all.

Preceded in death by her parents Warren and Virginia Solomonson and brother Ross. Survived by her husband of 50 years Marlow, daughter Beth (Carly) Mingo and grandsons Ollie and Finn, great lifelong friends Harriet and Jim Noreen and Sherry and Paul Schaumburg, and numerous friends, neighbors, and colleagues. She will live on in all of us with the kindness and positivity we show others. We will be celebrating her life with a Garden Party this Summer in Mankato. To be informed please email Beth at [email protected] Memorials and condolences can be made to Marlow Van Otterloo.