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Dawna Lea Grey, age 54 of North Branch died unexpectedly, Monday, September 12, 2011 at her place of work in Minneapolis.

Dawna was born January 12, 1957 in Osceola, Wisconsin to Wayne and Jane (Oberg) Grey. She attended schools in North Branch graduating in 1975. She attended several different colleges before Bethel College, where she received her Master's Degree in Special Education. Dawna worked for the Chisago County Sheriff's Office, and later became a Special Ed. Teacher working at North Branch Public Schools and currently in the Minneapolis School District as a Special Ed. Teacher at W. Henry Davis Academy. Dawna was very active at Abundant Life Church in North Branch where she cooked for many of the activities, played piano and sang with the worship team. She was a leader for the iLife Group and had a special heart for helping women and wanted to make her farm into a group home to help women in need, or Veterans' home so her father could live there. She was very active in Samaritan's Purse, a volunteer group from across the nation that help in disaster relief. She most recently traveled to North Carolina and just returned from Alaska. Dawna gave her life to helping people. She was the primary caregiver for her parents, Wayne and Jane and she took care of them daily. Her two children, Amanda and Nicholas were her pride and joy and she will be remembered as the "knot that held the family together."

Dawna is survived by her daughter, Amanda (Craig) Wisner of Cambridge; son, Nicholas Grey of North Branch, parents, Wayne and Jane Grey of Lino Lakes; grandchildren, Hailey and Nathan Wisner, brothers, Merrill Grey of Madelyn Island, WI and Derril Grey of Rush City; special friend Michael Kovarik of Stacy and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Abundant Life Church in North Branch with Pastor Kevin Haseltine officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. Friday at Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch, and also one hour prior to service at church on Saturday. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery in Harris. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Grandstand Funeral Home, in North Branch. Condolences maybe left at www.grandstrandfh.com.

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