Hope Dahl

Hope Dahl, lifelong resident of Iron River, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2009 at the age of 88. She was born in Bates Township on August 22, 1920, to John W. and Anna (Schaul) Daly. Hope Dahl graduated from Iron River High School in 1938. She attended DePaul University in Chicago for one year before transferring to Western Michigan University. She graduated in 1942 with a degree in education, and first taught school in Milford, MI and Kingsford, MI. During these war years she wore her fiancee's flight crew wings while she taught school as a sign of her love and hope for his safe return. She returned to Iron River in March 1945 to marry Allen J. Dahl on his return from the war in Europe where he had been serving with U.S. Army Air Corps. Her wedding dress was sewn from his parachute which he mailed home the month before his return. They were married on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1945 by her uncle Father Joseph Schaul at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Hope taught in the Stambaugh Township Public Schools and West Iron County Schools for many years. These included assignments in Gaastra where she taught fifth grade, Stambaugh High School, and for many years fifth grade at Stambaugh Elementary. She retired from teaching in 1980. She was always very proud of her students' accomplishments and loved being part of their learning experience. Her family still enjoys hearing from former students that "Mrs. Dahl was my favority teacher." Hope was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, and a charter member of the VFW Post 3134 Ladies Auxiliary. She and her husband were active in many organizations during their life together. Hope was a former member of the West Iron County Library Board, and, after her retirement from teaching, served on the West Iron County Board of Education. Hope was an avid bridge player and excelled at card games in general. She was a member of several bridge clubs including two dating back more than 50 years. She sometimes remarked that she thought her children's first words were going to be "fifteen-two" since they so often watched her playing cribbage. Hope was a person with many dear lifelong friends. Some preceded her in death and she missed them dearly. Hope is survived by a son, Jim (Shirley) Dahl of Chantilly; VA, a son, Jerry (Susan) Dahl of Iron River; and a daughter, Jacalyn (Don) Baumgartner of Iron River. She is also survived by eight grandchildren Renee Santi of Manistique, MI, Allen Dahl of Gaastra, Greg Horvath of Gainesville, VA, Steven Dahl of Chantilly, VA, Adam Baumgartner of Sacramento, CA, Neil Baumgartner of Midland, MI, Lucas Baumgartner of Knoxville, TN, Anna Baumgartner of Iron River, eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Hope was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Ruth D. White, Margaret Davis, and Nina Daly, and brothers Ivan and Vincent Daly. Her husband Allen J. Dahl, died in 1997. Visitation: Tuesday August 4, 2009 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River Funeral Service: Tuesday August 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. St. Agnes Catholic Church, Iron River with the Rev. Norman Clisch, pastor to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment: Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River, MI Pallbearers will be grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Allen Dahl Scholarship Fund c/o VFW, Iron River, MI. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River, MI.