Elsie Dahl
April 30th, 2016
DAHL, Elsie
1922 – 2016
Elsie Dahl died on Saturday, April 30, 2016 in Didsbury’s Bethany Care Centre at the age of 93. She was born in a Mennonite settlement in what was then becoming the Soviet Union, the oldest of five children born to Gerhard and Katherina Dahl, and the only one of their children born before they emigrated to Canada the following year. They lived in Namaka, Alberta for a short time before they settled in the Burns’ Ranch area with other Mennonite families who began farming the subdivided ranch land. Elsie attended the Mona School, east of Didsbury, and then the high school in Didsbury. Following her graduation, she was entered teacher training in Calgary. It was wartime and new female trainees were often quickly assigned schools as many of the men had gone off to Europe. She taught for several years in central Alberta country schools until she married Cornelius Peters in 1944 and began farm life with him on land just two miles west of where she had grown up. Corny died suddenly one year after their marriage, leaving Elsie widowed and expecting their first child. Elsie returned to teaching for several years after that at the school where she herself had been a student. In 1948, Elsie married Jake Dahl and they continued to farm the same land, acquiring adjacent property in the years following. Three more children were born to the couple. After four decades of farming, they retired to Didsbury, where they continued busy lives in retirement.
Remembering her are her children, Carrie (husband, Kevin), Dennis (wife, Elaine), Connie (husband, Ivan) and Roy (partner, Paul); grandchildren, Cameron Peters (wife, Yvette), Joanne Lenton (husband, Blair), Kari Petzold (husband, Mark), Kim Cruson (husband, Brian), Lisa Harman (husband, Gavin), and Nathan Dahl; great grandchildren, Ava, Olivia, and Isla Peters, Mackenzie and Connor Lenton, Nial Petzold, Claire and Kathleen Cruson, and Elsie and Erica Harman. Also remembering her are her sisters, Hella Harder (husband, Jake), Hedy Thurn (husband, Alfred) and her brother, Ralph Dahl (wife, Rita). Elsie is predeceased by her parents; her husbands; Corny and Jake; and her sister, Susan.
A Memorial Service will be held at Bergthal Mennonite Church, Didsbury, AB on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsie’s memory to the M.C.C., Alberta, #210, 2946 – 32 Street NE,Calgary, AB, T1Y 6J7.
She is just away, in a land of light and peace, Where warmth and love abound and worldly difficulties cease... She is just away, but her memory remains and the love she left within your heart help to ease your pain. Sorry I can't be there to celebrate your Mother's life. I am at a funeral in BC. I have fond memories of your mother: visits to her house on the farm, Bible study at their home, chats when we would meet. Thinking of and praying for you at this time. Judy Harder