Gerrie Carter Dahl

Maria Geraldine Carter Dahl “Gerrie” was born in Whiting, IA on October 21, 1923 and grew up in Appleton and Dawson. Gerrie attended Hantho Consolidated School and Dawson High School. Gerrie went to Nurses Training when she was 17 years old in Flandreau, SD. The cost was $500 with a government grant. Most of her training was “on the job” and she earned her Practical Nursing License in 1941 and her LPN in 1970; “new hospital requirement”. Gerrie married Clifford Dahl on February 14, 1946 in Dawson at the First English Lutheran Church minister’s home during a blizzard. “It's now or never!” she told Cliff. After she married they lived in Dawson, Milan and later settled in Marshall. Gerrie worked at the Dawson and Flandreau Hospital, and the Dawson Hospital again, where she met her husband as a patient. Gerrie worked at the Weiner Memorial Hospital in Marshall for 35.5 years, where she proudly stated she delivered “18 babies before the doctor arrived”. Gerrie enjoyed spending time with friends and family; caregiving, taking scenic tours, going out to eat, playing cards (trying to cheat) and dancing. Gerrie was a lifelong member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the VFW and Legion, she worked with the Jr. Volunteers (a youth nursing program), was part of the Hospital Auxiliary and organized the retired nurses meetings. Gerrie raised two children; Karen, born in 1947 & Butch (Clifford Jr.) born in 1949, while working the night shift at the hospital. Her husband, Clifford passed away in 1980 and she lost a grandchild (Angela) in a car accident in 1973. Gerrie was the last her generation of the Dahl’s. She did whatever she could to help raise her seven grandchildren; Patrick (Gresina), Heather, Bryan (Shelly) and Charlene children of Karen and Jack Cole’s, Sara (Bruce Larson), Kari (Gus Condezo) and Dawn (Matthew Kopperud) children of Butch and Margie Dahl’s. She enjoyed attending their baptisms, concerts, graduations, and dancing at their weddings. She spent time with her twelve great grandchildren and was very proud of her family. Gerie has been a member of the First Lutheran Church in Marshall for 60 years. She has lived in her little old home that was “built when the Indians were here” since 1950. She was a strong, independent, opinionated, stubborn and loving woman. She had advice for everyone whether you wanted it or not. You could not tell her anything new, because she had already done it, seen it and been there. She always said she probably worked with, helped take care of, or helped deliver everyone in Marshall at some point. Her characteristics and ability to exaggerate have been passed on to her family. Gerrie died on March 16, 2013 at Avera Morningside Heights Rehab Center in Marshall peacefully with her family at her side. Gerrie is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; a granddaughter, Angela; her parents; a brother; a sister; nieces; nephew; great nieces and nephews, in-laws and many friends. She had many loved ones to greet her on her arrival in heaven. She would like you to know that she lived a full life and had a lot of fun. She had hard times, worked hard, but she made many wonderful friends along the way and she is grateful for the time and love she got to share with everyone.