Gunvor Dahl

Gunvor Dahl of Onalaska Wis., and formerly of Rockford Ill., passed away peacefully at the Onalaska Care Center on February 13, 2017. She was born on September 27, 1921, in Tistedalen, Norway, to Dr. Aksel Fjeldstad and Aagot (Neraas) Fjeldstad. As a young girl, her family moved to nearby Halden, Norway, where she attended school and at the age of 12 met her future husband, Andreas Dahl. They had an enviable marriage built on mutual respect, friendship and total devotion for 71 years.

In her early twenties Gunvor endured the Nazi occupation of her homeland. During the war Gunvor sought training in both domestic science and business, until she was old enough to enter the school of nursing. She graduated as a registered nurse from the Oslo Municipal Hospital, Ullevaal, in 1944. Upon graduation, she was requisitioned along with 19 other graduates by the Nazis to travel north to assist in evacuating and razing the towns of northern Norway; the Nazi plan to prevent an impending Russian invasion. Gunvor fled so as to avoid working in support of the Nazis, and went into hiding.  Gunvor actively participated with Andreas in the resistance movement until they were discovered. They escaped to Sweden as refugees and were married there in 1945.

Following the war in 1946, Gunvor joined her husband Andreas in the United States for the last years of his dental education at Northwestern University in Chicago. Gunvor served on the nursing staff of Chicago-based Norwegian American Hospital rising to the level of Head Nurse in the maternity ward, as well as worked as a housekeeper. Following Andreas’ graduation, they returned to Norway so that Andreas could complete his mandatory public service and Gunvor worked as a nurse. At the completion of that service, they desired to return to the United States, which they did in 1950. Following military service for Andreas and stationing in Germany for two years, Gunvor and Andreas returned to the United States permanently and made their home in Rockford, Illinois.

Gunvor was a devoted wife and loving mother. She managed the business of the home and assisted in Andreas’ dental practice, as needed. She was an extraordinary seamstress and cook. Gunvor radiated kindness and love. Her beautiful smile and innocent charm were very endearing to those she met and befriended. She was also a tireless volunteer, who contributed substantially to charitable activities of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Shrine Hospitals during her time in Rockford. In 1983, Gunvor and Andreas retired to the east coast of Florida, where she continued her volunteer work in support of the Seagull Alternative High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Hospice, and the Care Center of John Knox Village.

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

There will be no services per her wishes. Memorials can be made to the Onalaska Care Center. The family is very grateful for the kindness and compassion of the staff of Onalaska Care Center and Gundersen Health System.