Eldy Eugene Dahl

ELDEN EUGENE DAHL… better known as “Eldy”, “Big E”, or Little Man”...

Passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at the age of 85 at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne, Minnesota. He was born to Regina (Price) and William Dahl on July 30, 1933. He was raised with his four siblings in Pipestone, Minnesota and attended Pipestone High School. After his graduation, he was proud to attend and play football at the University of Minnesota. He finished his college education at Augustana College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. For six years, he taught in Jeffers, Minnesota and two years in Fulda, Minnesota before returning to Pipestone High School for the rest of his 34 year teaching career. He taught both Social Studies and Driver’s Education for 51 years and was also a member of the National Guard for 21 years.

Eldy loved his family. He met Kay Slane, who would become his “division commander” at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. They were married on July 29, 1961 and were blessed with three children: Mark, Scott and Terri. He was a constant presence in the lives of his children and enjoyed watching his family grow. In addition to making sure he taught all of his grandchildren how to drive, he always welcomed them with a great shout of “There they are!” regardless of whether he hadn’t seen them for a day or a year.

Football was a passion second only to family in Eldy’s life. He was a stand-out four year starter fullback at Pipestone High School and continued his career as a starting offensive guard and linebacker for the University of Minnesota Gophers. When concussions ended his playing career, he turned to coaching, starting as a student coach at Augustana. He continued coaching at Jeffers, Fulda and Pipestone, teaching generations of athletes the “Big E Flipper”. Coach Dahl took great pride in the student athletes he coached over the years and took special pride in coaching both his sons. He was inducted into the Pipestone Jasper Hall of Fame in 2002.

He was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church; he ushered countless times and participated in many Knights of Columbus activities as a member. Though dementia robbed him of many treasured memories and hard-won skills in his later years, Eldy never lost his smile or his good nature. He loved talking about Gopher football and Driver’s Ed to anyone who would listen. He was a humble man who had a deep commitment to and love for his family, and he will be missed.

No one made Eldy smile more than Kay, his wife of 57 years, who lovingly cared for him throughout the progression of his dementia. He is also survived by his children, Mark Dahl and Diane Kennedy (Luverne, MN), Scott and Karla Dahl (Lakeville, MN) and Terri and Jaimie Sumption (Pipestone, MN); grandchildren, Jessa Dahl, Kat Dahl and Brooks Mauer, Ellen Dahl and Skyler Wenninger, Derek and Bonnie Sumption, Trisha and Tanner Zach, Chris Dahl and Connor Dahl; two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Eowyn Sumption; and his siblings, Denny Dahl, Sharon and Mel Platt, Larry and Judy Dahl and Mike and Marylyn Dahl. He was preceded in death by his parents.