Dawn Rickert, 34, died unexpectedly early Saturday morning in a car accident in Spruce Hill Township, Douglas County.

Dawn Marie Perhus was born on June 6, 1973, in Camp LeJeune, N.C. to Mark and Sherry (Joel) Perhus. She grew up in North Carolina and then moved with her family to the Osakis area and graduated from Osakis High School in 1991. She was united in marriage to Rodney Rickert on March 14, 1992.

Dawn was a busy wife and mother who in addition to raising her three children, also worked as a housekeeper for the AmericInn, the Country Inn and Suites, the L Motel and the Knute Nelson Memorial Home in Alexandria. For the last four years, Dawn had been a member of the staff at the Alexandria Opportunity Center.

Dawn had many interests and hobbies. She loved to spend time with her family and friends camping and tubing. She also enjoyed being with her friends and playing darts or volleyball. Working outdoors in her garden was another way she liked to relax. She was a loving wife and mother who will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney Rickert of Miltona and three children, Rodney, Ashley and Bradley Rickert; her mother, Sherry (Steven) Christenson of Clarissa; father, Mark Perhus, Sr. of Harrisburg, Pa.; a brother, Mark (Katy) Perhus Jr. of Alexandria; a sister, Teresa (Cory) Tuttle of Austin; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Dawn will be held on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Osakis Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Interment is at the West Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis. Visitation hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Honorary casketbearers are the staff and clients of Alexandria Opportunity Center and active casketbearers are Jeremy and Tom Price, Billy and Travis Kluver, Aaron Curtis, Nick Klimek, Nathan Zabel and Ward Jerome.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Arrangements are being handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis. Online register at www.royhetland.com.