
April Dawn Askew “Dawn”, age 83, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, July 23, 2025, surrounded by loving family.
Dawn was born in Powell, Wyoming, at dawn, to Howard and Wanda Wilder, April 9, 1942.
Home was a dairy farm just outside Powell. She was one of 4 children, older sister Doris, and younger brothers Gary and Lee. It was so fun listening to stories of her childhood and the adventures growing up on the farm.
Dawn graduated from Powell High School in 1960. She married Russ Ashmead in 1961. Two children soon followed, Wanda Christine “Chris” in 1962 and Troy Lon in 1963.
She married Bob Riegel in 1966, and was blessed with three stepchildren, Ed, Debbie and Dave. Bob and Dawn moved to Cody, Wyoming. They bought the Texaco Station and Robo Car Wash in Cody. The whole family got a chance to participate in the running of this business! While in Cody, Dawn was a member of the Dance Club the “Buffalo Bill Dollies”. During the summer the Club danced on the deck of the Irma Hotel
In 1973 the family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming and in 1975 they relocated again to Lemmon, SD. Here she went to work for the State of South Dakota, as Administrative Assistant to the presiding 8th circuit court judge. They were in Lemmon until 1980 when Dawn’s job took them to Sturgis, SD to work for the next presiding judge.
In March of 1987 Dawn married the love of her life, John Askew. She was blessed with two more stepchildren with this union, Tom and Lynda. She then made her home with John in Pierre, SD where John owned a music store. Dawn worked for the State for a few more years before retiring.
When they sold the music store and retired, they relocated to Wichita, KS, “following the music”. They loved Wichita and the many opportunities to play music there. One of the greatest joys of Dawn’s life was listening to John play.
They lived in Wichita until John’s death in 2018. Dawn then moved back to SD, living in a home on the ranch close to her daughter and son-in-law. Her son, Troy, was able to move in with her and help care for her the last four years.
Dawn was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Though dementia took many of her memories in the last few years, she never forgot family. She always greeted us with a smile and hug, leaving no doubt of her love for us. Dawn was a joy, we called her our “happy camper”. She was an avid reader and loved her crossword puzzles. You would find her working a puzzle, right up to the end. We were so blessed to have her with us and be able to care for her at home.
Dawn is survived by her children, Chris (Rick) Jordan, Troy Riegel, Ed (Dorine) Riegel, Debbie Riegel (Steve Yates), David (Sandy) Riegel, Lynda (Scott) Pruett and Tom (Connie) Askew; grandchildren, Dustin Jordan, Shannon (Kyle) Brown, Stone Riegel, Nick Askew, Mason Askew, Kevin Riegel Loudheed, Brett Riegel, Blake Riegel, Johnathan (Heather) Ogden, Joshua “Christine” Ogden, Rebekah Melia Schoonover (Chris Day), Mary Riegel and Dena Riegel; great-grandchildren, Isaac Jordan, Christine Jordan, Wyatt Brown, Allie Brown, Joseph Ogden, Zoe Day, Kyle Riegel and Kane Riegel; her sister, Doris Schofield; and brother, Lee (Suzi) Wilder; sister-in-law, Sherrie Wilder, along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Wanda Wilder; husband, John; brother, Gary Wilder; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Schofield.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Believers Fellowship Church, 780 Old Stone Road in Sturgis, SD. Burial will be at Bear Butte Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.