Dawn Rast

Dawn Lenore Rast (Hejna) was born on November 4, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank Hejna and Leona Hejna (Sapinski). She passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 14, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Mom (lovingly known as Busha) spent her childhood on the south side of Chicago with many cousins, aunts and uncles. While working at Quaker Oats in downtown Chicago, she met John M. Rast Jr., and they were married on January 9, 1954. They moved to San Carlos, California in 1962 when dad was promoted by Quaker Oats. They enjoyed over 40 years of marriage until Dad’s passing on November 8, 1994. Mom’s greatest role in life was as a mother to her five children who all survive her: John Rast (Sheila) of Visalia; Kevin Rast (Tina) of Escalon; Bridgette Rast of Antioch; Patricia Burton (Dusty) of Phelan; and Michael Rast of Livermore. Busha is also survived by her 10 grandchildren that she loved and was so proud of: Megan Jensen (Richard); Monica Rast; Jack Rast (Nicole); Dennis Rast (Tiffany); Michael Rast (Denise); Heather Arora (Arjun); Jenna Lynn Halsey (Nathan); Mallory Logan (A.J.); Dustin (DJ) Burton; and Dylan Burton. Busha also really loved her 9 great grandchildren: Hailey Hunt; Fallon Jensen; Madelyn Jensen; Patrick Jensen; Johnny Rast; Noah Rast; Isaac Rast; Hadley Rast; and Alexa Rast; with great grandchild number 10 due in August (Samantha Rast). Mom also leaves behind many relatives in the Chicago area that she so loved, as well as many close friends both here in Visalia and throughout California. She loved her lifelong friend Betty Flaherty. Mom/Busha was a lifelong devout Catholic and her faith and family were the center of her life. She was an active parishioner at St. Charles Catholic Church in San Carlos, California for over 40 years where she was in the ICF (Italian Catholic Federation). She volunteered for years at the Samaritan House in San Mateo helping to feed and clothe those less fortunate. She also volunteered at Catholic Charities for many years. She leaves many precious and lifelong friends in San Carlos. Mom/Busha moved to Visalia in 2004 to be near family and was a faithful parishioner at The Good Shepherd Catholic Parish for the past 12 years. Mom prayed daily for her friends and family, those less fortunate, and for The Bethlehem Center in Visalia. A Rosary will be prayed on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia, California. A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia, California. She will be laid to rest with Dad at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Dawn Rast

November 4, 1933 - May 14, 2016