Dawne Wilkins Eliassen, age 70 of Aurora, CO, went home to be with the Lord on July 10, 2026, after a courageous battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). She was born September 5, 1955, in Batesville, AR, the eldest daughter of the late Neil A. Wilkins, Sr., and Beverly Sims Wilkins. She graduated in 1973 from Batesville High School and was a member of the Batesville Pioneer Prancers. During a couple of summers between attending college, Dawne worked at Dogpatch U.S.A. playing a character called Daisy Mae. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1978 with a Marketing Degree. While attending the University of Arkansas, Dawne attended many Razorback games as a Razorback Pompom cheerleader. In January 1979, Dawne went to work for United Airlines, as a Flight Attendant and was based out of Denver, CO. For 35 years she traveled all over the world working for United until she retired December 31, 2014. Her most memorable flights were flying to Iraq to bring American soldiers’ home. Dawne loved to garden and was often referred to as the ‘flower lady’ in her neighborhood. She loved being Nana to her three handsome grandsons who were always spending time at Nana’s house. If you were FB friends with Dawne, you were entertained weekly with photos and videos of her three funny grandsons.

In addition to her parents, Dawne was preceded in death by her husband Hans Andrew ‘Kelly’ Eliassen. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Taylor Andrew Eliassen and Jessica Rachael Eliassen along with her grandsons Christopher Lowell Eliassen, Oliver Andrew Eliassen and Alexander Neil Eliassen. She is also survived by her siblings and their spouses, Tracy and Clifton W. Adcock, Leslie and Dave Wommack and Neil Allen, Jr. and Sheila Wilkins. In addition, Dawne is loved and remembered by extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her. They were all a huge help and comfort to Dawne through her journey battling ALS.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 17th at 4:00 PM at Fellowship Community Church, 6263 South Parker Road, Centennial, CO 80016.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Dawne’s memory to Denver Police Blue Hat Foundation whose mission is to support Denver Police families through financial, health and wellbeing programs. This foundation was very important to Dawne whose son Taylor is a Denver Police Officer; you can donate to The Blue Hat Foundation in her honor.