Arthur K. Dahlen

ARTHUR KEITH DAHLEN was born on September 28, 1932, to Tom and Hanna (Larson) Dahlen in Luverne, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Luverne. He attended Rural District 29 School north of Luverne, and then Luverne High School. In February 1953, Art enlisted in the United States Army and reported to Camp Breckenridge in Kentucky. After serving two full years during the Korean War, he was honorably discharged and returned home to Minnesota.

On June 4, 1955, Art was united in marriage to Donna Mae Albertson in Vukku Lutheran Church near Foxhome, Minnesota. The couple settled on the Dahlen family farm northeast of Luverne where they lived and worked the farm life while raising their six children. Art retired from farming in 1985 and the couple moved to Luverne. He began working with Siebenahler Construction in 1987, and then went to work with W & N Construction from 1998 to 2010 when he formally retired.

Art was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota, where he served as a deacon and board trustee for many years. Art also sang in the church choir. He enjoyed fishing, canoeing, camping and visiting with friends and relatives.

In 1998 he began scroll saw woodworking. Art shared a passion for wood and especially the scroll saw with his close friend and mentor, LaVern Kafka. He spent many hours in his shop creating “Pieces of Art,” that he shared with family and friends. Some of his happiest moments were seeing how people reacted to and appreciated his work.

On Tuesday, June 6, 2017 while at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, Art went to be with the Lord at the age of 84 years, eight months and eight days.

Art will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Donna, of Luverne, Minnesota; his five children: Nancy Dahlen and Kariann Sanny of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; Angie Martin of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Elsa Nitz and her husband Steve of Rosemount, Minnesota; and Elaine Hall and her husband Tim of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a son-in-law, David Carlson of Sioux City, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren: Trevor, Sierra, Hannah, Tori, Eddie, Paul, Anna, Laura, Tommy, Tony, Tucker, Emily, and Mariah; three great-grandchildren: Rosie, Thea, and Scarlett; and a sister, Shirley Dahlen, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Hanna; daughter, Lori Carlson, in 2010; granddaughter Anne Carlson and son-in-law Dave Sanny, in 2014.

May God bless the life of Art.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice in Art's memory.