Lucille Dahl

Lucille (Lucy) Marie Dahl was welcomed into Heaven on September 17, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 95 following a brief illness.

Lucy was born June 7, 1929, in Langdon, North Dakota, to Albert and Lorrine (Schwartz) Dumas, the 6th of 13 children. She spent her childhood years in Walhalla, North Dakota, and at the age of 16 moved to Langdon, where she worked as a waitress at the Walz Cafe. In 1948 she married John Dahl, and the couple moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where they lived until relocating to John's hometown of Bagley, Minnesota, in 1949. Nine children were born to John and Lucy while living in Bagley and, like women of her generation, she cared for her children and the home while her husband worked to support their family. In 1978 they moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, where they resided until John's death in 2006. Following his death, Lucy moved to Rochester, Minnesota, and lived with her daughter Rosemary until her death.

Lucy was an amazing wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She was always a hard worker-gardening, canning, and doing all the things needed to care for her family. She was an excellent cook ("who made the potato salad?"), and her doughnuts, pies, and bread were unrivaled. Her large family has many happy memories of holiday meals, birthdays, and special events at Grandpa's and Grandma's home. When grandkids came along, she sewed doll clothes, pajamas, and other items for them. She was a "country girl," who enjoyed country music and watching vintage westerns on television. Until her eyesight failed, she also loved playing Scrabble and other table games.

Lucy was a devout believer in Jesus, faithfully attending church services, teaching Sunday School, and helping with VBS. She and John also enjoyed hosting events for seniors in their home. Lucy was a "prayer warrior" until her death, with her greatest prayer being that all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren come to saving faith in Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and nine siblings. She is survived by her eight daughters: Linda (Tom) Chesley, Catherine, Darlene, Rosemary, Beverly (Dennis) Beston, Mary (Tim) Kleinschmidt, Lorrie (Dave) Wickus, and Brenda (Mike) Kapsner, and son John; sisters Cecelia and Marlene; brother Robert Dumas; 25 grandchildren; and 47 great-grandchildren.

A life well-lived, with hardship and sorrow but also joy, she will be missed so much by all who knew and loved her, none more than her daughter Rosemary, her friend and caregiver for many years. For those of us share her faith, we look forward to reuniting with her in Heaven someday.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Dahl family.