Andreas Dahl

Andreas Dahl of Onalaska, WI and formerly of Rockford, IL peacefully passed at Onalaska Care Center on January 3, 2017. He was born on February 3, 1921, in Halden, Norway, to Dr. M. Andreas Dahl and Solveig (Haug) Dahl. As a young man, he endured the Nazi occupation of his homeland actively participating in the resistance movement until he was discovered. He and his fiancé, Gunvor Fjeldstad of Halden, escaped to Sweden as refugees and were married there in 1945. They had an enviable marriage of total devotion and joy for 71 years.

With the Norwegian dental schools closed during the war, he looked to follow his dream of becoming a dentist when the war ended. He had the opportunity to attend Northwestern University in Chicago with a small group of Norwegian students invited by this prestigious dental school after the war. With few resources, family or friends in the U.S., they persevered and he was eternally proud of his graduation with Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors. They returned to Norway so Andreas could complete civil service for the state as a public health dentist. Following this, he returned to Northwestern to teach and later volunteer to serve in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, rising to the level of Captain during his time stationed in Germany.

He started a private practice in Rockford, IL upon their return. During the over 30 years of private practice, he was dedicated to ethical, quality dental care, and served as President of the Winnebago County Dental Society of the American Dental Association. He loved dentistry and was proud to be a third-generation dentist. He was a great professional role model and an excellent businessman, and inspired a number of young people to pursue this profession.

In addition to being devoted to his family and career, he thoroughly enjoyed his association with the Tebala Temple Shriners Association. He was instrumental in the Tebala Horse Patrol’s timely acquisition of a new facility, and loved caring for his horses, trail riding and performing in parades and drill events with his fellow Shriners. He served as President of the International Shrine Horse Patrols. When he retired from his dental practice at 62, he and Gunvor retired to Florida for twenty years where they devoted much of their time to volunteering for organizations like Hospice, then moved to Onalaska to be closer to family and quality health care.

Andreas is survived by his wife, Gunvor, and two daughters, Dr. Eva Dahl (Barry Blomquist) of Onalaska, and Dr. Carol Dahl (Scott Cairns) of Seattle. He was preceded in death by a son, Andreas, who died shortly after birth.   His grandchildren are Erik, Bjorn, and Christina Blomquist, and Kristin and Ian Cairns.

There will be no services per his wishes. Memorials can be made to the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Program. The family is very grateful for the care he received from Gundersen Lutheran over the years and the kindness and compassion of the staff of Laurel Manor, Onalaska Care Center, and Hospice.