Thomas Eugene Dahl, son of Theodore Madsen Dahl and Ruth Collins Ibach Dahl, was born on his parents’ farm east of Coon Rapids November 1, 1937. Tom died January 6, 2018 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 5 days.
Tom’s funeral was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson, Iowa with Darwin Larrison, presiding. His casket bearers were Shane Wolf, Carrie Heuton, Katie Dahl, Allia Janning, Hunter Larrison, Jared Dahl, Noah Larrison, Levi Brouse, Emma Dahl and Jonah Larrison. Caron Scott was the pianist and the music was “Marine Corps Hymn” and “Home on the Range.” Military rites were by USMC Honor Guard of Fort Des Moines, Iowa and American Legion Post 44 of Bayard, Iowa. “Soldiers’ Prayer” was read by John Shirbroun. Burial was at Dodge Township Cemetery in rural Bagley. A lunch was held at the Bayard Community Center.
Tom’s mother died when he was just a lad of almost four years old. He was largely self-sufficient from then on. Tom started school in the Amana Colonies and later attended school in Bagley. He volunteered for the U.S. Marines when he was only 17 years old. During his service years, Tom completed his GED. When he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant he returned home and married the love of his life, Janet Darlene Hanen on December 7, 1958 at the Church of Christ in Bagley. They were the parents of five children: Jeffrey, Mike, Todd, Ann and Kristine. They lived south of Bagley before moving to Bayard in 1973. They returned to Bagley in 2009.
Tom and Jan had a very special relationship and worked together in making their home warm and loving. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends, all the while supporting their children’s sports and activities. Tom had a special love for animals, and his children smile and laugh a bit, reflecting on their lives shared with horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits sheep, beef cattle – and oh, yes, milk cows! Tom’s greatest love was his family, but there is no doubt he loved to WORK. He did, however, like to fish, watch his sons play football, watch any and all Westerns and play cards. Tom will be fondly remembered as a great story teller. He was mechanically inclined and overhauled a Farmall M, getting it to run after it sat idle for twenty years.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jan on July 28, 2016; sister-in-law, Sandy Dahl; mother and father-in-law, Archie and Wyona Kennett Hanen; and brother-in-law, Jim Lyons. Tom is survived by, greatly missed, but always remembered by his children: Jeff Dahl (Jennifer) of Coon Rapids, Mike Dahl (Jennifer) of Scranton, Todd Dahl (Gloria) of Bayard, Ann Dahl of Liberty, Mo. and Kristine Larrison (Darwin) of Clive; ten grandchildren: Shane Wolf, Carrie Heuton (Jacob Berkes), Katie Dahl (Bill Ocker), Allia Janning, Hunter Larrison, Jared Dahl (Kaitlin), Noah Larrison, Levi Brouse, Emma Dahl and Jonah Larrison; six great-grandchildren: Madison, Ayden, Kylie, Cash, Paisley and Sam; brother, Ted Dahl of Waukesha, Wis.; sister, Ruth McDonald (George) of Rising Sun, Md.; brothers-in-law: Bud Hanen (Carole) of Prescott, Ariz., Richard Hanen of Santa Maria, Calif. and Jerry Hanen (Janet) of Branson, Mo.; sister-in-law, Lee Lyons of Grand Junction; uncle-in-law, Junior Hanen (Barb) of Jefferson; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Memorials may be sent to the Hastings Funeral Home, 1417 2nd St, Box 204, Perry, Iowa, 50220.
Hastings Funeral Home assisted the family, 515-465-4691, www.hastingsfh.com.