Dawn Marie Ivans was a special woman to so many people and dearly loved by her family.  She was born in Fort Collins, CO on February 4th,1956 and departed this life on June 15th, 2024 in Denison, TX.

Dawn was the youngest child of Robert and Helen Bland and had close relationships with her grandparents and aunts, growing up in Bellvue, CO. As a young girl, she had beautiful blonde hair and a love for many stray cats that always had a home in her bedroom. Dawn and her father enjoyed horseback riding in the local area and her father would often take her to piano lessons on her favorite horse named Star. She attended Cache La Poudre elementary school and graduated from Poudre High School in 1974. Dawn studied Music Education and Music Therapy at Oklahoma Christian College until 1978. She then returned to Bellvue, CO where she lived with her parents until meeting, courting, and soon marrying Greg Ivans in 1983.

On June 4, 1983, Dawn married Greg in an outdoor ceremony at her parents' farm. The wedding day left a memorable impression on wedding guests and is fondly remembered due to a Colorado rainstorm that passed through during the ceremony. After marrying, the newlyweds took their honeymoon in southern Colorado, and were surprised to find snow in Ouray, CO two days after their wedding. Dawn and Greg then established their home in Fort Collins, CO.

Dawn's parents helped move her favorite piano into her new home so Dawn could continue her love for piano playing and singing. In August 1985, Dawn began teaching piano and voice lessons in Fort Collins and initiated several music recitals each year for all ages, along with performances at various city and statewide music competitions.  She enjoyed singing  at the Meadowlark Church of Christ and frequently sang at weddings and funerals. She had many long-time friends at this church, since she first attended this church as a teenager.

Dawn and Greg were hoping to have children in the early years of their marriage but were unable to do so. Fortunately in June, 1988, they were able to adopt newborn twins, Thomas and Elizabeth, from Colorado Christian Services in Denver, CO. Dawn was an attentive and nurturing mother to her children and was able to continue to teach music lessons during the day while her mother and close friends took care of the twins.  As soon as Thomas and Elizabeth were old enough, she taught them piano and voice lessons and involved them in the many recitals along with her other students. Dawn retired from teaching in 1999 to place more focus on her family and home life.

In April of 2008, Dawn and Greg made their first of many trips to Mexico.  She loved the warm beaches and beautiful sunsets at the resorts, and they enjoyed long walks in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo.  Dawn collected the Mexican pottery and art that decorated their house. They celebrated her birthdays and many holidays in Mexico with their family and friends.

Dawn also continued her love for cats and ensured that Thomas and Elizabeth each had their own cats (Toppings and Socks) at a young age and even received her own cat (Skeeter) for Mother's Day one year. Skeeter provided much love and therapy for Dawn before passing away in 2013. Dawn was planning on getting two kittens after she retired and had been collecting cat toys and furniture for several years.

After Elizabeth received her degree in Nursing in 2013, Dawn returned to her goal of getting her certification as a medical assistant and graduated from Front Range Community College in 2017. After obtaining her certification, she touched the lives of many patients in the Fort Collins and Loveland communities until she retired in 2021.

After spending their lives in Colorado, Dawn and Greg selected Sherman, Texas for a new location for retirement in June of 2022. Dawn loved her new house and swiftly added her personal touches to make it a home. They quickly established strong relationships with those at the Western Heights Church of Christ and within the community. Dawn continued her hobbies of flower arrangements and piano playing, and planned a family photo wall within the main hall of her home.

In the fall of 2023, Dawn developed health problems that limited her activities. Despite this she continued to attend church and visit friends within the community. She persevered through pain and took a trip to see family and friends in Colorado and her daughter and son in law in Montana in May. After returning home in June, Dawn's health problems became critical and she passed away peacefully on June 15th, 2024.

She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Bland, and her mother, Helen Bland. She is survived by her husband Greg Ivans in Sherman TX, her children Thomas in Fort Collins CO and Elizabeth (Charles) in Bozeman MT, and brothers Robert (Jane) in Denton TX and Dave (Nancy) in Somerville TN, along with an aunt Millie in Kinsley KS.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, July 6th, 2024, at Western Heights Church of Christ in Sherman, TX. Rusty Sherry will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, July 13th, 2024 at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In memory of Dawn, you can make contributions to the Mountain States Children's Home using their website, msch.org or mailing a check to their address.

14780 N. 107th St.

Longmont, CO 80504

She will be missed by her husband, her children, her extended family, and all that knew her.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

Psalms 18:33