We are sad to report the passing of a true Route 66 enthusiast.
Dawn Patterson, of Towanda, who turned her 2 car garage next to her home in Towana into a “66” tourist destination, passed away on Tuesday, November 14 after a brief illness.
Dawn was born August 7, 1958, in Streator, the daughter of Allen “Pat” and Dagny Lund Patterson. She grew up in Dwight and graduated from Dwight High School in 1976.
She is survived by her best friend and sister, Lisa Golding; sister-in-law Kathie Delong Patterson; and a sister, Gail (Bob) Ricketts; as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Dawn worked nights at State Farm – she was that friendly voice that helped you when you were in trouble or needed to research your car insurance. Dawn retired from State Farm after 19 years in September 2016.
If Dawn’s garage overhead door was open – you were welcome to stop and visit!! Her garage was a wonderful 66 inspired place where she displayed gifts she had received from friends and travelers, and also sold Route 66 trinkets and even had her own “DK’s Garage” t-shirt! Dawn would sit at an old retro kitchen set as people wandered in and out, signed the guestbook, and posed with her shapely mannequin “greeter.” She knew a lot about the road and often helped people with their lists of what to see and where to go in other states.During past Red Carpet corridor events, her garage door was not only open, but often the band “Wagon Load of Trouble” would grace the driveway for entertaining! Dawn was a gracious hostess and loved the interaction she had with 66 travelers whether they were from Bloomington-Normal or Finland!
In June of 2012, the Route 66 Association of Illinois presented her with the President’s Award for sharing her Route 66 display
and her Route 66 knowledge and passion with Mother Road travelers from all over the world who came to her Route 66
garage as strangers and left as friends.
Dawn closed her garage in May 2017 and spent the months after that selling off her souveniers and keepsakes.
Dawn loved her family and treated everyone like family. She loved the Cubs and was so happy to see them win
the World Series. She was also a huge Miami Dolphin fan.
There was no memorial service or wake. Memorials may be directed to Lisa Golding, P. O. Box 76, Towanda, IL 61776 or the charity of the donor’s choice.