Mary Louise Dahl

Mary Louise Dahl, age 81, residing at Rose Vista in Woodbine, Iowa, returned to home to Jesus on August 8, 2023.

Mary was born on June 29, 1942 to the late John Paul and Marietta Doner. She grew up on a farm east of Hamlin with her grandparents, Floyd and Cora Doner. Mary attended Exira Community Schools and graduated in 1961. She was a steadfast farm girl, even after her family moved to Council Bluffs.

At the age of 25, she was united in marriage to Walter Clifford Dahl, a veteran of the Navy. From this union came three children, Dorothy, Larry and Judy. Mary lived a full life, often enjoying gardening, birdwatching, crafts, and "drowning a worm" (fishing).

Mary spent many years working in the food service industry, including for the Council Bluffs Community School District, Shoney's restaurant, Indian Hills nursing facility, and reached retirement at West Central Development head-start program. She also spent several years as a newspaper courier for the Daily Nonpareil and Omaha World Herald. Mary was active in the PTA, volunteered her time at the school as a homeroom parent and classroom volunteer, and was an active parent in her son's Boy Scout troop.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Floyd and Cora; her father and stepmother, John Paul and Ella Doner; her mother and stepfather, Marietta and Emil Doner; her two stepsisters, Joanne Larson and Janelle Stauffer; her husband, Walter Dahl; and grandson, Scott Crooks.

Mary leaves behind to mourn her three brothers, Clifford, Marlowe and William Doner; her three children, Dorothy Miller, Larry Dahl, and Judy Dahl; her daughter-in-law, Cathy Dahl; her cousins, Robert and wife Patricia Boydston, Steve Boydston, Mike Franks, and Maryanne Lawrence; her grandchildren, Carrie, Ryan and Dustin Miller, and Brandy and Nicki Crooks.

A reception in Mary's honor will take place on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a prayer and remarks at 6:00 PM at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Burial will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM in Exira Cemetery.