David Wayne Dahl

David “Dave” Wayne (Wonderful) Dahl, age 85 of La Crosse, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at home on Monday April 28th, surrounded by love and by loved ones.

Dave was born in Readstown, Wisconsin to Otto and Laura (Mhyre) Dahl on June 26th, 1939. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1957. Following graduation he moved to Kenosha and worked at American Motors. During one of his many trips home, he found himself at a dance in Soldiers Grove, where he met the love of his life, Elaine Fortun, on a warm May evening. The tall, lanky Elaine, from Rising Sun, must have made quite an impression on Dave for he soon headed to her parents’ house on his Harley motorcycle to ask her father if he could take her out. A few years later he enlisted in the US Army in 1961, and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and was in active duty for a year and 4 years as a reservist. He was a Private First Class, a sharpshooter, and a radio operator.

During his time as a reservist, he and Elaine married in Viroqua on October 3rd, 1964, and started his career as a machine mechanic at G. Heileman’s Brewing Company in La Crosse, WI in 1963. He was there for 35 years. He was very proud of all the achievements he had there. When Heileman’s was no longer, Dave went to St. Francis/Mayo Clinic and worked in the Home Health Medical Equipment Department for 14 years where he finally retired.

During his life Dave also enjoyed working on cars, even once having a Standard Station with his father-in-law, Kenneth. He also loved doing body work and sharing his extensive knowledge with his kids. He was a jack of all trades and could fix just about anything. His creations that he crafted out of spare parts he acquired, brought so much joy to those who received them and will continue to bring joy for generations.

Dave cherished his whole family as if they were his most prized possessions and it made him very happy to help anyone, anyway he could. His laughter was infectious especially when he was telling his Norwegian jokes, his wolf origin story, and his wanna buy a chicken joke and anyone who has heard them understands that he could not get through a joke without laughing. Going over to Dave and Elaine’s always meant you left with some trinket he gave you, a full stomach from the Smorgasbord he set out and sore arms from him boxing your shoulders. There are so many things that made Dave so special that it would take us days to scratch the surface. Our wonderful memories are so abundant, we are very blessed to have them. He had a unique way of making each one of us feel like we were the most important person to him, and he truly cared. He was an extraordinary Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. A very special Uncle, Brother, and friend to everyone that had the privilege to know him.

Dave is survived by this wife of 60+ years, Elaine; two children: Kimberly (Rick) Maronski, Karen Swanson (Brian Madigan); 3 grandchildren: Alex (Richelle) Phillips, Sage Swanson (Mikey), and Lilah Swanson (Anders); 3 great grandchildren: Ayden, Aubree, and Ellodee. He is further survived by siblings Orla Young, Anita (Lester) Bina, Charles Dahl; Sister-in-law Mary Dahl, and Brother-in-law Howard Hotlen, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 infant sons, his parents and in-laws, an adult son, Gregory David; two sisters Charlene Hotlen and Audrey Manders; two brothers Wesley and Verlyn Dahl; two brothers-in-law Bill Manders and Melvin Young; two sisters-in law Oknan Dahl and Annette Dahl; one niece, one great niece, and three nephews.

A very special thank you to the Gundersen Hospice Team who helped us so much during such a difficult time.

The family will be having a private memorial tribute to David at a later date.