Gordon Peter Dahl, aged 92, peacefully met his savior Jesus Christ on November 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Gordon was born to Carl Paul Dahl and Sylvia Melinda Dahl (nee Flaa) in Fargo, ND, on February 13, 1933. He grew up in McCauleyville, MN, and attended a one room school house grades 1-8, situated next to the family’s property. He later graduated from high school in Breckenridge, ND, in 1951. He spent much time on his grandparent’s farm helping with chores on a regular basis. Gordon was well known in the community as a 1st baseman and pitcher for the Abercrombie Chiefs, his attendance, and singing at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and general, benign mischief, which lasted through the decades.
Gordon went to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and graduated in 1956 with a major in music. He sang in The Concordia Choir under the direction of Paul J Christiansen, and became a well-known and beloved soloist, not only at Concordia, but in the community as well. He was referred to as Gordy, “Oh Day Full of Grace,” Dahl, which was his signature song. One of his greatest joys was that both of his daughters sang under the direction of Christiansen as well. Many family members attended Concordia through the decades, which solidified a legacy which Gordon started. He later declined an audition for the Metropolitan Opera, choosing instead to follow a different path in life.
The first job Gordon had post college was in Binford, North Dakota, where he was hired as a math teacher and basketball coach, but wore many other hats as well.
He met his wife of 66 years in 1958, Carole Dahl (nee Larson), through his sister, at Concordia College. They married on May 24, 1959, in Carole’s hometown of Ada, MN, she remained the love of his life. They moved to Cloquet, MN where both taught school while Gordon continued his education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He went on to earn a master’s degree in music at The University of Denver.
They were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Stephanie, moved to Havre, MT, and eventually to Great Falls, MT, where they raised their girls and spent the next 50 years. Gordon was heavily involved with community musicals and operas, and was well-known, loved, and respected in the town. Gordon directed both the choir and musicals at Great Falls High School and went on to be a junior high school principal, retiring in 1995. During his retirement, he continued to serve in education through GED proctoring, student teaching observations of education majors, and tutoring. Throughout the decades, countless former students would thank “Mr. Dahl” for his influence in their lives. He was a faithful member at the First Presbyterian Church, holding many different roles over the years, the most important being that of choral director for several decades. Gordon’s family was his everlasting joy. Trips, too numerous to count, between Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota were made over the years to attend special Concordia events during the years their daughter’s attended Concordia, and to be as involved as possible in the lives of their grandchildren.
In 2015, Gordon and Carole moved back to Fargo, ND, the soil of their roots, to be closer to family. They were blessed to spend 10 more years together in their home in south Fargo. They attended Hope Lutheran Church, and were regular, weekly favorites at local restaurants. Gordon, an avid lifelong golfer, especially looked forward to Monday night golf and burgers with his son-in-law, Howard Berglund and friend, Curt Nyhus.
Gordon was a friend to all, a true seer of people, making all feel seen and valued. He had the gift of quick humor, easy laughter, and a twinkle in his eyes. Gordon was a man of quiet faith, which grew stronger through the years, and believed that Jesus Christ was his Lord. Oftentimes he would look around the table and say, “How did we get so blessed to have this family?” And simply, “God has been so good.” The final chapter of his journey as a faithful servant has come to a close, but we rejoice that he has been renewed again in Christ Jesus.
Gordon was proceeded in death by his parents, Carl and Sylvia Dahl (nee Flaa); sister, Sandra Fiechtner Bergo; brothers-in-law, Robert Fiechtner and Gordy Bergo; and sister-in-law Linda Dahl (nee Nelson).
He is survived by his wife, Carole Dahl (nee Larson); daughters, Kimberly Berglund (Howard) and Stephanie Dahl-Nuhring; grandchildren, Jenna, Allegra, and Olivia Berglund, Liam (Aleena) Nuhring and Falan Nuhring; brother, Michael Dahl; brother-in-law, Chuck (Kim) Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service for Gordon will be Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 1pm in Hope Lutheran Church – South Campus, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will be in the Ada City Cemetery, Ada, MN.
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