Visitation Information

Dawn Marie Kush

Passed away on February 26, 2021

Dawn Marie Kush, of St. John, IN, passed away peacefully, Friday, February 26^th, 2021 with her family by her side, after her 8-month battle with breast cancer. She was 61.

She is survived by her loving husband and sons, Stephen A. Kush, of St. John, IN, Michael J. Kush, of Crete, IL, Matthew S. Kush, Of Lakewood, CO.

Brother-Tom Hubbard of St. Augustine, FL. Sister-in-laws-Carolyn Robledo, Beverly Kush (William Mains) Nieces-Ellen Mains (Kevin Whitaker), Katie Mains. Nephews-Andy Robledo (Christy), Robert Mains Grandnieces-Alyssa Robledo, Rosemary Whitaker Grandnephews-Andrew, Lukas, Nickolas Robledo. Aunts-Alice (late Edwin) Szalony, Patricia (Fred) Long and many loving cousins and a multitude of friends.

            Preceded in death by Mother-in-Law Genevieve Kush, Aunts-Lillian and Margaret Surowiec, Uncles-John and Alfred “Fritz” Surowiec, George Mindala, Cousin Paul Surowiec.

            Dawn began working in her teen years as a Carry-Out at the Schererville location of Strack & VanTil’s Super Market. By 1981, she was promoted to Health & Beauty Aids Aisle Manager. And because of her elegant hand writing, Dawn prepared all the signs for sale items in the store. On January 19,1981, it was here that her future husband first laid eyes upon her. He was the new Route Salesman for Pepsi-Cola. Their love blossomed over the next few years and they married in 1983. The open house reception at their home in St. John was one the likes of St. John will never see again. Over three hundred guests were in attendance.

            Dawn was a loving, caring wife, mother and friend to all she met. Since her teenage years in 4-H, she loved outdoor activities. Gardening in her yard and entertaining her sons and their friends. Taking them to Civic Park to play was a weekly outing, which included a stop at the Dairy Queen on the way home. An avid cook and homemaker, Dawn kept the house in tip top shape and the yard looking like a park. She accepted any challenge and nothing could stop her once she put her mind to it. As her sons grew, Dawn made sure she was right there assisting in their activities. As a room mother, Pack Coordinator for Cub Scout Pack 550 in St. John, Concession Stand Volunteer for St. John Youth Baseball, Schererville Tri-Town Raiders Pop Warner Football and L.C. Athletic Booster Club. Dawn also held the position of Fundraising Chairwomen for St. John Youth Baseball for many years. She also assisted in theater productions for Genesius Guild of Hammond, IN.

            As the boys grew older, she decided to enroll in cake decoration classes. It developed into a in home business. Wedding cakes, Birthday cakes, Communion cakes, she could create them all. Her buttercream icing is loved by all who have had the pleasure to enjoy it. Dawn also worked part-time at the K.F.C. in Dyer, IN, during her sons’ teen years, bringing home the Colonel’s favorite almost every night she worked. She decided to enter into the real estate business, first working as a Realtor for Century 21 McCarthy Reality in St. John, then moving into the Mortgage industry where she was currently employed by U.S. Bank as a Mortgage Originator.

Not one to sit still, and wanting to serve others, she also became a Merchandise Sampler in various retail stores, locally and in the Lafayette and Indianapolis areas, distributing new grocery items for consumer purchase.

            After attending a weekly fish fry at St. Michael’s National Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, IN, a few years ago, she volunteered to assist them by waiting tables. She did this until her chemotherapy treatments, along with COVID-19 restrictions, prevented her from continuing, as of July of 2020.       

            Keeping with her 4-H connection, since she was the 1977 Lake County Fair 4-H Queen, Dawn, over the years, continued to enter multiple exhibits at the Fair, in the following categories: Live & Artificial Plant Arrangements, Nostalgia, Baked Goods, Crafts and Recycling, winning multiple ribbons.

            Besides her love of gardening, cooking, baking and crafts, which included flower arrangements, necklaces and plastic bags recycled into purses, Dawn, in 2011, decided that she wanted to learn how to fish, since Steve had recently taken up fishing. Beginning in 2012, they vacationed with friends at Woodland Resort on Lake Miltona, just north of Alexandria, MN. She fell in love with the sport and, as she did with everything she got involved in, wanted to learn the entire fishing experience, from baiting the hook, catching and landing fish, to learning how to clean them. They travelled to Woodland every year, from 2012 to 2018, until a change of her employment forced them to put the annual trip on hold. Dawn was looking forward to possibly retuning this year.

            On her Sixtieth birthday in 2019, a surprise party was held in her honor at Teibel’s Restaurant. It was the surprise of her life and the first time the spotlight shone on her and her only.

There is a special place in everyone’s heart for Dawn, whose life’s path crossed hers. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

            Visitation Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm with a prayer service at 5:00 pm at the Elmwood Funeral Chapel 11300 W. 97^th Ln. (1/2 block west of US 41/Wicker Avenue at 97^th LN.) St. John.  Interment private.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the family appreciated.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/dawn-marie-kush-memorial-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

For more information 219-365-3474 or www.elmwoodchapel.com