Our hearts are shattered as we announce the loss of a bright light in our family.

Dawn Marie (Markee) Ladik passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 27, 2023, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wis., after a brief battle with pneumonia. Dawn was born on March 20, 1972, in Janesville, Wis., to Teresa (Rynes) and William Markee. She is number 11 of 12 siblings and the youngest of eight girls.

Born on the first day of spring, she was named Dawn, which means “light” and she was our brightest light. In her childhood, Dawn was sweet, kind and quiet, and she loved everyone. Dawn was a perfect little princess with blonde hair and blue eyes. Even at an early age she loved dressing up and fixing her hair. She loved to wear dresses whether it was to church or playing outside.

Dawn and her siblings attended St Patrick's school in Janesville up to 8th grade and she received her Catholic Sacraments at the church. She was a cheerleading mascot in her younger years and then a cheerleader throughout middle and high school. Dawn was also involved in choir, where she displayed her beautiful singing voice. In 1990, she graduated from Orfordville - Parkview High School and headed toward a career in Cosmetology. Her love of fashion and beauty led her to that calling but it may have been her love of people that really pulled Dawn into the beauty field. She loved listening to and offering her advice to people. Her clients loved her, and she had thousands of them over the course of her 31-year career. She was a hardworking businesswoman and owned her own salon for 20 of those years.

On June 13, 1998, Dawn married her love, Robert Ladik, at St. Patrick's Church. Together they had four children, Jacob, Jacqueline, Julia and Justine. The kids were the love of Dawn's life and her proudest accomplishments. Dawn had a genuine and giving nature, which was not surprising as she opened her home to everyone, providing a roof for those needing a place to stay or hosting special family gatherings.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Monona was a place where Dawn found peace. She volunteered on various occasions and enjoyed many church activities with her family. When not at work, Dawn kept busy transporting her children to various school and after school activities, even coaching her girls in softball. There were many sports, music, and scouting events and Dawn supported and loved all of it. She was their biggest cheerleader. As a family, they enjoyed leisure time camping together at their motor home in Wisconsin.

For most of us, it was Dawn's sense of humor that captured our hearts. She was always interjecting a laugh to lighten our moods. She was an amazing, mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, great-aunt, niece, cousin and friend to so many. Our hearts are broken but we will take the love we have for her and find the courage to look forward to the morning light, and think of her, because the sun will still rise at Dawn. May God keep you safe, Dawn, in His arms until we see you once again.

Dawn is survived by:

Her husband Robert,

Her children, Jacob, Jacqueline, Julia and Justine.

Her Mother and Father-in-law, Sandra and Walter Ladik.

Brother and sister-in-law, John and Jena Ladik

Sister-in-law, Tanni Gronbech (Bjarne Koue)

Niece and Nephew, Annabelle and Nicholas Ladik

She is also survived by her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews:

Denise Markee, (Nicole, Blake and Hunter)

Lisa Oberbruner, (Dan Jr.)

Judy and Edward Elsner

Steven and Becky Markee, (Savannah and Madison)

Kathy and Jeff Crane, (Nathan, Nick, Nolan and Nevin)

Colleen Markee, (Sophia, Haley, Victoria, Emily and Amelia Leoni)

Marcie and Dave Flodeen, (Chelcie, Tanner and John)

Christa Markee, (Caleb and Karly Stowers)

Heidi and Warren Janisch, (Laura, Isaiah and Malachi)

Rex Markee, (Cullin, Taytum and Brady)

Mat and Billy Jean Markee, (Kora and Sammy)

Also, 18 great nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dawn is preceded in death by her parents, William and Teresa Markee; brother, Bill; brother-in-law, Dan Oberbruner; nieces, Caranne Ambrose Oberbruner and Maria Rose Janisch; and nephew-in-law, Doug Villars.

"Death leaves heartache, no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Dawn M Ladik

March 20, 1972 - March 27, 2023

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