Dawn Fode passed away on September 15, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, she was 64 years of age.

Dawn Elaine Frisk was born April 12, 1961, in Fargo, North Dakota to Howard and Carolyn (Janz) Frisk.  She grew up on a farm near McLeod, North Dakota.  When she was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. She began a lifetime commitment to living as normal a life as possible. It was during her youth that her passion for Occupational Therapy began. She graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1979. She attended the University Of North Dakota where she earned her Bachelor of Science for Occupational Therapy in 1984.

Her first job was in Huron South Dakota at Huron Regional Medical Center, where she met Brent Fode. Dawn was recruited to be in a play Brent was directing. They began dating and married November 1, 1986, at the First American Lutheran Church in Huron. In February 1987, they relocated to Sioux City, Iowa, so Dawn could work at Marian Health Center.  While they lived in Sioux City, Dawn gave birth to Kyle Donald Fode on July 11, 1988. Kyle was born with a lung infection and passed away July 18, 1988.

From there they lived in Fargo ND, Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, SD, while Dawn pursued her Occupational Therapy career.  In July 2014, they moved to Tucson, AZ, where they lived at the time of Dawn's passing.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Brent Fode of Tucson AZ, her father Howard (Janice) Frisk of McLeod, ND, sisters Lori Frisk, Jeanne (Dave) Pratt, her uncle Lyle (Claudia) Janz, several nieces and nephews and cousins, 4 great nephews and 2 great nieces. Last but not least, her diabetes alert dog Bella (pictured with Dawn).

She was preceded in death by her son Kyle, her mother Carolyn Grinager, grandparents Walter and Frances Janz and Hugo and Evelyn Frisk and, again last but not least, her original diabetes alert dog Teddy.

A memorial service was held at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD on Friday, October 10, at 10 AM, with a burial to follow in the Riverside Cemetery in Huron, where Dawn will be laid to rest by her son, Kyle and service dog, Teddy.

Friends and family are asked to dress in Dawn's favorite color green for the memorial service.

Memorials in Dawn's name can be sent to Camp Gilbert, Scent Angels or a charity of your choosing.