John Dahl
February 28, 1925 - November 21, 2018
Obituary
John “Bernard” Dahl, 93 of Billings died November 21, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Bernard was born February 28, 1925 in Rhame, North Dakota to Danish immigrant Emil and Irish homesteader Alice (Kane) Dahl. Bernard was the youngest of five children. Bernard and his family spent his early years in Rhame and moved to Bozeman, MT in 1939. He graduated from Holy Rosary High School. He was one of four siblings that served in the US military in WWII. His gold star mother Alice christened the USS Bozeman. His brother staff sergeant Raymond was shot down over Germany and killed in 1941. His brother Eldon was a POW In Italy. Sister Mary served in the Pacific at Iwo Jima. Dahl was a graduate of Columbia University Midshipman School in New York, New York. He was a three-year veteran of World War II, having served as a gunnery officer on the USS Tumult minesweeper in the Pacific. He was a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Naval Reserve. After WWII, he attended Carroll College, Marquette University and Montana State. He had degrees in biology and bacteriology. July 6, 1950, he married Mary M'Lis Eaton and moved to San Francisco for Mortuary Science college. He then returned to the family funeral business in Bozeman and had Mary, Teresa and Ann Denise. They moved to Helena and had Linda. They established Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings in 1956. In Billings, they had their first and only son John . This was followed by Anita, Irene and Deana. Bernard was a member of Holy Rosary Church and St Patrick's Co-Cathedral. He was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. His faith was precious to him and an example to his family and friends. As a funeral director, he was a member of the order of the Golden Rule and National Funeral Directors Association and past president of the Montana Funeral Directors Association. He served as county coroner. He was President of the Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved. His life's work was compassionately caring for families in bereavement. He was on the board of hospice and brought many nationally known grief specialists to Billings. His deep care and commitment to families evolved into grief ministries including Stephen Ministries, Association of Christian Therapists and Hospice. Bernard's favorite hobbies included photography, travel, cooking, camping and snowmobiling. He loved presenting slide shows on the Holy Land to churches and schools. He loved taking visitors and family out on his pontoon boat on the Big Horn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Eldon, Vera Jensen, Raymond and Mary Jorgensen and two grandchildren Marion Rose Stroebe and Simon Dahl Reinhart. Bernard was so grateful for his wife M'Lis, of 68 years, his eight children, 24 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren: (1) Mary (Mike) Cater and their family: Sara (Zach) Clark and children (Maya, Nora, Caleb); Joseph (Kristen) Cater and kids (Jane, Alice, Thomas); (2) Teresa (Conrad) Stroebe and children: Marie Taylor and kids (River, Cash); Raymond Stroebe and children (Brianna, Erica, James, Spencer); Beth (Justin) Gress and children (Lincoln, Miles); Emily (Brian) Edwards; Frank Stroebe; Marion Rose; Genevieve Burhans and child (Elise); Hannah (Travis) Hutchinson; Chalice Stroebe; and Xavier Stroebe; (3) Ann Denise Dahl and children: Holland Davis, Jens (Bridgett) Davis and child (Porter); (4) Linda (Dale) Reinhart and kids: Michele (Bill) Levine and children (Kate, Grace); Simon; and Sean; (5) John (Brenda) Dahl; (6) Anita (Reese) Jones and kids: Dan; Brielle (Earl) Platt and child (Sienna); Erin (Richard) Hall and child (Braeden); Marina; and Ula; (7) Irene (Mark Peterson) Dahl; (8) Deana (Dave Wendell) Dahl and children (Eileen and John). Visitation will be held Sunday and Monday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday, November 26, 2018, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. The funeral mass will be held at noon on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. The Graveside Committal service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman. (Please meet at Dahl Funeral and Cremation Service in Bozeman at 10:30 AM to process together to the cemetery.) Memorials may be made in Bernard's name to St. Vincent De Paul, 3005 First Ave. North, Billings, MT 59101 or the Alice Kane Dahl Nursing Scholarship at Montana State University, c/o the MSU Foundation, 1501 S. 11th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59717. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com or www.dahlcares.com.
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Memories
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Robert Gale
Other •
Dear M'Lis, My deepest sympathy at the passing of Bernard. I met you both at the ACTheals Conferences in Albuquerque and Chicago. Thank you both for the years of service you gave in support of ACTheals (ACT). Bernard is remembered in prayer by the Pastoral Care Specialty Group. His life was rich and knowing him enriched us all. He will be missed.
Bob Gale, Chair, Pastoral Care Specialty Group, ACTheals
NN
Niles Nelson
Other •
Dear Dahl family all,
It is not too much to say that a real institution in Montana funeral service has passed...….one that was exemplary of true professionalism and compassionate care to the families of Montana. Our prayers along with blessings and thoughts are towards all of you in this hour and season of loss.
Niles and Bobbie Nelson
Libby, MT
KH
Kim Gosvig Hansen
Other •
Bernard Dahl was son of Emil Dahl whom was born in Denmark and Bernard never forgot his danish roots. Therefore are we sending our deepest condolences and warmest thoughts to M’Lis and the rest of the family and taking part in the grief over the loss of this amazing gentleman. Bernard was a warm, love able and generous person, whom we will miss and think back on these amazing times we had when we from Denmark were on visit in the US.
We have always been met with warmth and hospitality and seen a proud Bernard when he was with his beloved M’Lis and his wonderful family, that we now will share the wonderful memories with that never will be forgotten.
Bernard will forever live on in our hearts. In 2007-08 Michael was able to get this big opportunity to attend Billings Central and at that Michael got an extra set of grandparents in Bernard and M’Lis which made us in Denmark a lot more safe knowing that he was in good hands in this great family.
Bernard has made Denmark proud, with his open mind, love to the family and his quick remarks, this will never be forgotten and we would therefore say a big thank you for having the opportunity for Bernard being a and always will be a part of our life. Honor be Bernard Dahl’s memory
Kasper
Pixie & Michael
Birgitte & Kim
CJ
Chris Jermunson
Other •
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the entire Dahl family. I've had the pleasure of serving as the Dahl family's commercial insurance agent for more than a quarter of a century and have early fond memories of Bernard. As a young agent, I remember mustering the courage to visit the Billings location and introduce myself. I found Bernard so gracious, offering me cookies and a tour! Bernard progressed in the tour offering to show me the "viewing room". I was startled and replied "oh no, that would be alright.... not necessary". Bernard chuckled and clarified it was only the various coffin displays... I was relieved. Each year I'd contact Bernard to review my carefully prepared renewal summary. Each year Bernard responded that it would be alright "as long as I had sharpened my pencil!" God Bless and thank you for sharing Bernard with all of us over the years. cj
TH
Trisha Herminghaus
Other •
Hugs to the Dahl family on the loss of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His example of faith and kindness is personified in his family, and admired and emulated by others. Thinking of you at this difficult time, it is so hard to lose the man who is our Father here on Earth.
ML
Mary Martin Lane
Other •
Bernard. Bernard Dahl, Incised in our memories. This photograph captures his warmth, his hospitality, his lurking sense of humor, his consicous awareness of the Spirit of God as he understood God and was God's eager servant for the well-being of others. Bernard and M'Lis. M'Lis and Bernard, a devoted pair who helped each other fulfill their life journeys. Family was of major importance, and how extended it became! Friends' lives were enhanced. How we have all benefited by Bernard's presence and service, with M'Lis upholding him, as even now continues to illuminate our pathways.