We are saddened to announce that Dawn Oatway (née Gunby), resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Crooked Creek, AB, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at her own home in her own bed at the age of 93 ¾ years.

Dawn was born on December 31, 1932, at the Innisfail Hospital. The Gunby family moved to DeBolt when Dawn was six months old. She was raised on the Gunby homestead located near the Gunby Ranch Golf Course northwest of DeBolt. The three siblings attended Mountain Springs School to complete their education up until grade 9. Afterward, they went to boarding school in Grande Prairie and graduated from Grande Prairie High School.

After high school, Dawn worked for one year at the Sturgeon Lake School, supervising correspondence lessons. She enjoyed the experience so much that she enrolled in the University of Alberta in Edmonton and obtained a temporary licence as an Alberta teacher. It was a one-year program, giving her permission to teach in Alberta schools. Upon graduation, Dawn worked for the East Smoky School Division at the Goodwin School, teaching 13 students from grades 1 to 9. In her second year, the schools amalgamated, and she went to Edson Trail School to teach 39 students from grades 1 to 3.

Dawn met Lorne Oatway in the spring of 1954, and they were married on December 21, 1954. They had six children:

~ David Lorne (born April 1, 1956)

~ Ross (born May 22, 1957)

~ Lila Mae (born October 28, 1958). Lila married Herman Friesen on May 7, 1977, and passed away on April 18, 1978.

~ Sherry Lynne (born March 4, 1960)

~ Stuart John (born August 17, 1961)

~ Terry (born November 5, 1963)

They lived on the Oatway homestead, farming with Lorne’s brother Murray until that farm became too small for two large families. In 1965, they moved to Crooked Creek and started a mixed farm on three quarters. They sold cream to the dairy, raised Black Angus with a few pigs and chickens, and tended a massive garden. In 1979, they sold the farm and moved to Ridgevalley until 1988, when they bought the house in Grande Prairie.

In 1973, Dawn returned to teaching at the Ridgevalley School, where she taught primarily grade 3, until retiring in 1988.

Lorne passed away on October 24, 1989, and since then, Dawn had resided at the house on Prairie Road.

Dawn will be sadly missed by her children: David and Chris Oatway, Ross Oatway, Sherry and Art Buchanan, Stuart and Marina Oatway, and Terry and Heather Oatway.

Grandchildren: Deanna and Pete Van Muyen, Mathew Howie, Dylan Caddy, Levon and Kaeleigh Caddy, Haley Oatway and Will Uffelen, Lorne Howey and Edward Tagarino, Keenan Oatway and Jessica Hook, Kristy Oatway and Dave Gilfoy, Katherine Oatway, Evan Oatway, Sharley and Isaiah King, and Kelsey Oatway.

Great-grandchildren: Chloe, Genevieve, and Jude Van Muyen, Kennedi and Royce King, and Kayden Oatway.

She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and students.

Dawn was predeceased by her parents, Lila (1984) and Alva Gunby (1963); her daughter, Lila Mae Friesen (1978); her husband, Lorne Oatway (1989); and her siblings, Joseph Gunby (1933), Mary Lou (2019) and Harold Matlock (2020), and Jerry (2016) and Jean Gunby (2009).

The celebration of Dawn’s life will take place on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005-107 Ave). Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon in Oliver’s Tea Room. Interment will be held at the DeBolt Cemetery at a later date.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Auxiliary Association. E-transfers can be sent to wandaloujohn@gmail.com, with the note “In memory of Dawn Oatway.”