Leighton “Lee” Dahl
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On August 29, 2014 @ 8:43 am In 2014,Obituaries | 12 Comments
Leighton “Lee” Dahl age 73 of Prior Lake, died peacefully on August 28, 2014. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 2nd from 4-7pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street, Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life Service will be Wednesday 11am at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road, Prior Lake with visitation one hour prior. Urn Bearers will be Ronnie Brown, Don Grewing, Jerry Mohs and Jerry Guderjan. Reverend Les Svendsen will preside. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Ebenezer Care Center, 13820 Community Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337.
On March 28, 1941 in Watertown, SD, Leighton J. Dahl was born to parents, Milton and Mae (Madson) Dahl. He was the younger brother to Dalton. Growing up in South Dakota and Iowa, he enjoyed swimming in the river and got his start of being a true outdoorsman, as he learned the art of hunting, trapping and fishing.
After graduating from high school in Madison, SD, he spent four years in the Air Force. It was there, that Lee received his training and Dental Technician Degree that propelled him into his professional career. He was stationed in France and had the opportunity to visit many countries in and around Europe.
After returning from the military, he met the love of his life, Judith Dahl. They were married in 1965 and soon after were blessed with two beautiful children, Shawn and Tana.
Following one year as an instructor at the University of Minnesota Dental School and another year working as a Dental Technician, Lee opened his own Dental Laboratory, Dahl Dental Studio in Minnetonka. For 48 years he proudly ran the practice until his retirement in 2007. He was fondly known as the “Tooth Fairy”.
Lee had a lifelong passion for the outdoors that he fulfilled as an avid hunter and fisherman. This passion carried him on many adventures to Alaska, Canada and all corners of the US in pursuit of his big game trophies, upland game birds and waterfowl. Lee was proud that his passion for the outdoors was taken on by his son, Shawn, as they took numerous trips and spent countless days afield together.
Their cabin and dream home on Lake Francis near Annandale, which later became their permanent residence, was the family’s special retreat. They spent most weekends there fishing, water skiing and enjoying the evening bonfires. Lee also enjoyed dancing and golfing. In their later years, He and Judi wintered in Arizona and enjoyed playing golf and four wheeling in the mountains with friends. Their travels around the Caribbean and to Hawaii were always special times he and Judi enjoyed together.
Lee was a member of the Dental Lab Association, Safari Club International and the VFW Post 6208 in Prior Lake.
Lee partnered in the development and construction of townhomes in Prior Lake and was proud of designing and building, both their Prior Lake and Annandale homes. He also restored his 1932 Ford street rod and loved raising and showing their Arabian show horses.
Known as a jokester, a “work hard/play hard” kind of a guy, and a man who’s pride was his family, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Judith; son, Shawn (Fern) Dahl of Lakeville; daughter, Tana Dahl of Prior Lake; grandson, Joey and his father, Joseph Rombach of Lakeville; sister in law Betty Sue Dahl of Fort Morgan, CO.
Lee was preceded in death by his infant son, Scott Dahl; parents, Milton and Mae Dahl; brother, Dalton Dahl.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served Lee’s family.
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Condolences from the Rauschs. We will miss Lee.
Jr
We have such fond memories of Lee. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
My fondest memory of Lee is his sweet smile and great sense of humor…I can still hear him laughing.
Treasure those wonderful memories…he will be with you always!
My deepest HEARTFELT sympathy to all of you. Please know I’m there in thought and prayer. Much love to my very special friends. (No doubt Lee has my mother laughing.)
Judi and family, We are so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. Our condolences to you and your family as you honor the life of someone very special who will be remembered by so many. I will always reminisce the good times Lee and I shared as high-school “guys on the go”! And, of course, the great times Nancy and I shared with you both over the years. Each life is a miracle that changes the world…and leaves it a better place than it was before. How true of Lee Dahl.
Blessings to you all,
Nancy and Dennis Kendall, Peachtree City, GA
I have fond memories of 40 years of hunting trips taken with Lee and recall that the mountains were never too high to climb!! He was such a good friend!
We have especially good memories of all the trips we have taken with Lee and Judi through the years. Costa Rica and it’s terrible roads and volcanic eruptions, Maui with it’s the beautiful weather and scenery, and of course Cabo San Lucas. What fun we had! We will always cherish those great memories!
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Lee’s family We will miss his kindness , good humor and friendhip.
Lee will certainly be missed…He never failed to put a smile on the faces of all those he came in contact with.
I will always cherish the great times and wonderful fishing trips with Lee.
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Dahl family.
Tim & Loretta Lane
Green Lake, WI
Judi and family.
I have fond memories after spending four years in high school and basic training in the Air Force with Lee.
My sympathies to the Lee Dahl family.
Harold Gienapp
Beverly Hills, Fl
Judi i am sorry to here of your lose and i can feel your pain as i lost Bev 2 years ago i will always remeber the fun times i spend with Lee back in the 60s Kent Petersen Madison SD
Judy & Family,
I am Gerie Oxley’s brother, Mike, and I would like to offer my sincere condolences for your loss. “Black Bart,” as I used to know him, was definitely one of a kind, and he will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Judy Shawn and tana I will miss lee as I feel your pain and sorrow he has moved on to a better place the memories are numerous as he lived with us and worked for my dad so for me he was in fact a big brother to me so lots of pranks were part if my growing up I lost my father at a young age and lee was always around to try and keep me in check then off to the Air Force he wrote often about his adventures one story sticks in my memories when he was close to finishing his Air Force time he wrote a letter to me I think I was. 14 but it’s a cute story he said he was going to order a new car to be ready when released from duty he asked what I thought he was going to buy a corvette covert with a. 427 or a Chevy. SS convert with a. 409 I wrote him back telling him I thought he was to wild to buy a vette and would get hurt so it’s funny to me he bought the 409 and of course still some trouble lee was also like a father to me and also my mentor as he had me help build there home in prior lake and later asked to help build his dental lab lucky for me he hired me to work and learn to be a dental tech people would have no idea of knowing what an incredibly talented man he was and I can’t ever remember a question for him he couldn’t answer he was tough but fair my talent today I owe to lee Dahl and his gift of lab equipment was over the top but used every day so for me everyday lee will be remembered and missed I a grateful have been part of his and Judy’s lives may he rest in peace
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It is with great sadness that we have lost Lee at such a young age. It has been a long and difficult illness for all of us. Our prayers have been with you always.
besides being a relative Lee has been a true friend and it has been a privilege to be considered his friend and hunting partner. He valued his friendships greatly and was always willing to go the extra mile to honor it. A truly honorable credit to the Dahl family . Our hearts are heavy and we will miss him. We share in your grief & loss.
Our prayers are with you all.
Jim & Ann Dahl, Carlsbad, CA