Growing up on a farm, Dawn learned early that there was always work to be done. The long days and hard chores taught her the value of hard work, responsibility and doing what needed to be done without expecting recognition in return. Farm life also helped shape the humble spirit that stayed with Dawn throughout her life. She never needed attention or praise and was always more comfortable simply doing her part and helping those around her.
But Dawn also knew that hard work and a full life were better when you could laugh along the way. She had a wonderful ability to find humor in everyday moments and never took herself too seriously. Whether things went exactly as planned or not, Dawn could usually find something to smile or laugh about. That combination of hard work, humility and humor became part of who she was and something she carried with her throughout her life.
She graduated from Neligh High School in 1974. After graduating from Wayne State College in 1977, she moved to Fremont, Nebraska. While living in Fremont, she worked for Dodge County Social Services. In 1981, she went on a blind date with Jim Zieg, a date that was set up by Jim’s dad, who worked with Dawn. Jim picked Dawn up in his work truck and took her to Andy’s Pizza. It didn’t take too many dates for Dawn to decide that Jim would be her guy! They were married on October 9, 1982 in Neligh.
In 1984, their daughter Lindsay was born and Dawn began what she always considered her favorite job – being a mom. Soon after, they moved to Lincoln. In 1985, their first son, Dan, was born. God blessed them with two more sons – Steve was born in 1989 and Adrian in 1991
Dawn was fortunate to stay home with her children while they were growing up, allowing her to be fully present in their lives. She showed up for the activities, volunteered whenever she could, put countless miles on the family vehicle and made sure her children always knew they were supported and deeply loved. Creating memories and making the most of the time they had together mattered to her, and she was intentional about making family moments – both big and small – something worth remembering.
As the kids got older, Dawn went back to school and earned a degree in accounting while beginning work as a bookkeeper for Lancaster County Farm Bureau. She later joined LinPepCo, where she worked for 19 years before retiring in 2024.
Dawn’s caring nature extended far beyond her immediate family. Whether you were a co-worker, a neighbor, one of her children’s friends or simply someone whose path crossed hers, Dawn had a way of making you feel seen, cared for and loved. She welcomed people into her life with an open heart and had a remarkable ability to make them feel like they were part of her family. She was incredibly selfless, always putting others before herself and giving her time, energy and love without ever expecting anything in return.
Becoming a grandma brought Dawn another of life’s greatest joys. She adored her grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. She was the kind of grandma her grandkids genuinely loved being around – someone who showed up, joined in, made memories and made each of them feel deeply loved.
Dawn enjoyed sewing, crafting, flowers and gardening, but even her hobbies were often another way for her to love others. She was constantly creating meaningful gifts and keepsakes for her family, including one of her most recent projects made from her parents’ wedding dress and suit.
Dawn had a gift for creating something beautiful out of something ordinary, preserving memories and giving them new life. In many ways, that reflected how she lived – finding beauty in the everyday, making moments meaningful and sharing what she had with the people she loved.
At the center of Dawn’s life were her family and her faith. She wanted nothing more than for the people she loved to know Jesus and to have the comfort of knowing they would all be reunited with her someday in heaven.
Dawn didn’t just love people, she made sure they knew they were loved.
Dawn is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Lindsay (Matt) Knoop of Urbandale, IA, Dan (Val) Zieg of Bennet, NE, Steve Zieg of Lincoln, and Adrian (Tami) Zieg of Lincoln; grandchildren, Berklee, Lillie, Maverick, Monroe and Wyatt Knoop of Urbandale, IA, Elijah and Logan Zieg of Bennet, NE, and Owen Zieg of Lincoln; brother, Dennis (Jean) Hughes; sisters, Kathy (Ken) Jisa, Cheryl (Vern) Powers and Lori (Nathan) Meisgeier; brother-in-law, Tom (Judy) Zieg; sister-in-law, Nancy Heinicke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dawn was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Nadene Hughes, her in-laws, Al and Thelma Zieg and brother-in-law Gary Heinicke.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at New Covenant Community Church, 6000 S. 84th Street, Lincoln.
A celebration of Dawn’s life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at New Covenant Community Church.
The family encourages everyone to wear bright colors to represent a beautiful floral garden.
Memorial donations may be made to the Food Bank of Lincoln or Mission Central in Mapleton, IA.