Dawn was born Nov. 7, 1969, in David City to Duane R. and Connie (Palensky) Svoboda. She attended school in David City and graduated from David City High School in 1988. She married James J. Pavel at the Methodist Church in David City. They lived briefly in David City and then moved to Duncan.
Dawn was a homemaker, raising four sons. She had served on the Village Board of Duncan. She loved anything that could be done outdoors, including gardening, raising flowers, camping, airboating, hunting and fishing. She also was known to love an occasional outing for shopping. Dawn's life revolved around good times with family and friends. She had been a member of a band called "Borrowed Time" and sang for funerals and weddings.