Goodridge – Robert Dahlen, 69, was called home on Monday, April 25, 2022 by the One who loves him most, at his little blue house in Goodridge, surrounded by his loving family.
Robert Wayne Dahlen was born December 16, 1952 at St. Ansgard Hospital, Moorhead, the oldest of eight kids born to Arthur O. and Fern (Gustafson) Dahlen. He was baptized January 6, 1953 at Norman Lutheran Church, Kindred, ND. He was confirmed on May 5, 1968 at Zion Lutheran Church International Falls.
In August 1969 Bob met Sheila Kliner at the Littlefork Fair. Later that fall, at a teen dance at the Union Hall in International Falls, the band called out “ladies’ choice” and Sheila Kliner asked Bob for a dance – game over! They danced to “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum.
He attended school in International Falls and played trumpet in school bands and the orchestra. He was active in 4-H Club with an interest in Entomology. In June 1971 Bob graduated from Falls High School.
On July 23, 1971 Robert was united in marriage to Sheila Kliner at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls with Dr. Mark Jerstad officiating. To this union six children were born: Aaron, Kristin Emma, Andrew, Martin, Carl, and Marie. In July 2021, he celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss with Sheila – and she never changed the locks!
From 1971 to 1983, Bob worked in various areas of the Boise Cascade Paper Mill. He was a member of the Woodworkers Union and served as secretary/ treasurer for the Fireman & Oilers Union Local 937.
Robert played trumpet and horn for many bands including the Fort Francis (Ontario) City Band, Luther Brass, Northland Jazz and Community Bands, and the 9th District American Legion Band, Moorhead. He played taps and last post for numerous funerals of US and Canadian veterans, starting at fourteen years old.
In 1978, Robert earned an AA Degree from Rainy River Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities/History from Bemidji State University in 1983, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, in 1987. He took graduate courses at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and was a member of the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. He was also trained in addiction counseling and problem gambling.
Robert was ordained as a Minster of Word and Sacrament on March 1, 1987 at Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls. He was called to serve as pastor of the Goodridge Area Lutheran Parish (Faith, Ekelund, and Bethany) from 1987 to 2015. As a part of his seminary education, he served as intern pastor for one year at Banks Lutheran Parish rural Watford City, ND. Robert supervised interns and prepared many to serve as pastors. He also cared for area congregations as an interim pastor after his retirement.
Robert owned and operated Bjorndahl Apiaries, keeping honeybees and manufacturing beekeeping equipment. He kept bees for nearly 50 years and was a member of the Minnesota Beekeepers Association and Sioux Honey Cooperative.
Survivors include loving wife, Sheila; children, Aaron (Mary) Dahlen, Kristin Ostercamp, Andrew (Jennifer) Dahlen, Martin (Lisa) Dahlen, Carl (Roberta) Dahlen and Marie (Collin) Longo; grandchildren, Daniel, Jacob, Noah, Adam, Garret, Lydia, Zachary, Cori, Arthur, Lyle, Madeline, Rachel, and Alex; siblings: Mary Dahlen, Kevin (Laura) Dahlen, Debbie DeLeeuw, Gary Dahlen, David (Anne) Dahlen, Nayda (Ed) Jensen, and Rebecca (Paul) Haberle; mother-in-law, Edna Kliner and in-laws, Leila Kliner, Jackie (Jerry) Nord, Rick (Coreen) Kliner; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Art; father-in-law, Lawrence Kliner; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Kliner Jr., and Charles DeLeeuw.
Robert taught us how to live and how to die in Christ, and for that we are thankful. Amen.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, Minnesota with Cpt. Clifton Hanson, Chaplain, USAF, The Rev. William Tesch. Bishop Northwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA and Rev. Jonathan Dodson officiating.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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