Donald Dahling Obituary

    Donald John Dahling, 93, died on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Lake City.
    Donald was born at the Lake City Hospital on March 29, 1925, and was the only child of Frieda Holst Dahling and John Henry Dahling. Donald lived and went to school at public and private schools in Lake City. His parents lived at 621 N. 8th Street, then moving to 414 N. 8th Street around the time of Don’s graduation from Lincoln High School. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1937. On June 14, 1943, Don was inducted into the Army and left for training at Camp Walters, Texas. After finishing basic training, he was assigned to the 31st Infantry Division in regional headquarters company. He went overseas to New Guinea, to serve as a communication lineman and radio operator. He served in New Guinea, Morti, the Aleutian Islands, and the Philippines. Don was one of the first to visit Agusan Valley, where they were the first white people to be seen in that land. His only injury during his service was a lacerated arm due to falling from a coconut tree when being shot at by a Japanese sniper. After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, he remained on the Islands until his time came to be shipped home.
    On Aug. 2, 1949, Don and Evlyn Deloris Copp were united in marriage. They lived in Lake City for a few years, before moving to Red Wing where they were both employed. The two had one son, James Donald, who has resided in Virginia for the past 25 years. They have two grandchildren, Jason James Dahling, married to Samantha Chau, and Lindsay Jeanne Matthews, married to Seth Matthews. While living in Red Wing, Don was employed at the Johnson Tire Company until 1956, when the family moved to La Crosse, Wis. In La Crosse, Don worked for various tire companies as an over-the-road salesman. Don had several health setbacks in the late 50’s and early 60’s and the family moved back to Lake City to be near their families.
    Donald was a member of the local VFW and American Legion. He held the position of treasurer for the Lake City Country Club for nearly 18 years. He and Evlyn were members of First Lutheran Church, where they were active in many areas. Don was a member of the Lake City Lions Club, helped with the local Boy Scouts of America as a treasurer, served on the Lake City Street Commission, and was a board member for the Lutheran Brotherhood Chapter for four years. In 1995, Don and Evelyn became co-directors of the Lake City Food Shelf and held that position until 2010. During their time with the food shelf, they went from helping 10 families a month to over 100 families a month.
    Don is survived by his son, James (Mary) Dahling of Carrollton, Va.; and two grandchildren, Jason James (Samantha Chau) Dahling of Cranbury, N.J. and Lindsay (Seth) Matthews of Arlington, Texas.
    A memorial service will be Saturday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Pastor Tim Ehling officiating. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City. Military honors will be by the Lake City VFW Post 8729 and American Legion Post 110.  
    Online condolences can be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.