Dawn Juanita (Mordhorst) Sparks
July 9, 1959 - Nov. 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:54 AM PST
Boise
Dawn Jaunita (Mordhorst) Sparks, 49, of Boise, quietly passed away, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, surrounded by family, at her parent’s home in Payette. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette, with XL Hospice Chaplain Fred Bassett, who quickly became someone special in Dawn’s final days, officiating. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be made to the family at
www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
Dawn was born to Richard and Barbara Mordhorst, July 9, 1959 in Ontario, Ore. A sister Kelly Ann joined her in 1961. They lost their father tragically in a car accident in 1966.
In 1968, a wonderful man entered Barbara’s, Dawn’s and Kelly’s lives and Byron Champion joined the family and became Dawn and Kelly’s loving dad. Dawn attended Payette schools throughout her education, graduating high school in 1977. After high school, she enrolled at Boise State University. She received her B.A. in business. She worked as a claims examiner for Argonaut Group Inc. from 1981 until 2000, then for Sedgwick Inc. until her illness in March 2008. Dawn married Jim Sparks in 1981, but they later divorced.
Dawn loved her work, Boise and especially her BSU Broncos. She was very fond of animals, especially her cats, Jewels and Tiny, who now live with Dawn’s friends. Dawn enjoyed shopping, eating out with friends and family get togethers.
Dawn is survived by her parents, Barbara and Byron Champion; grandmother, Georgenne Yagar (Bud); sister, Kelly Franek (Ed); her nephew and nieces, Eddie Franek (Ashley), Sarah Franek (Travis Williams) and Sonnie Joe Franek; three great- nephews, Hayden, Braxton and Lander Franek (Eddie and Ashley); and lots of aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins, whom she loved dearly.
She also leaves behind special friends, Becky Holder, Bonnie Hall and Terri Gheen (aunts); Elizabeth Dawn Holder-Rahn and Heather Bennett (cousins); Heidi Cooper, Jerry Lockner, Stephanie Smith, David Macy, Dannelle Bowman and Roxanne Stevens (friends).
Special thanks to XL Hospice for all the wonderful care they gave Dawn and for all the help, support and kindness given to her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to XL Hospice, of Payette, Simply Cats, of Boise or Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.
