Clifford "Butch" Dahl Jr.

The funeral service for Clifford “Butch” Dahl Jr. will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall. Visitation will be Friday, November 1, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Bloomington, MN. A recording of the service will be available at www.horvathfuneralservice.com.

Clifford “Butch” Gordon Dahl Jr. was born Jan. 28, 1949, in Dawson, MN to Clifford and Maria Geraldine “Gerrie” Dahl. He and his family moved to Marshall, MN when he was one year old.

“Butch” earned his name at a young age with a “butch haircut.” This stuck with him throughout his life. As a young boy, Butch enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids, especially ice hockey on the river. He took piano lessons and enjoyed playing cards with his Grandma Carter. They ate her cookies and learned how to be a card shark. Butch was confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in Marshall. 

Butch worked at Art’s Drive-In as a fry-cook during high school. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1967 and kept the wonderful friendships he made there throughout his life. 

Butch was drafted into the US Army in August of 1967, along with several of his classmates. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Butch spent time in Arizona with his buddies after the war learning to cope with all they had lived through before hitch-hiking home to Marshall in 1970.

He met Margie DeSmet and fell in love instantly. They were married on October 16, 1971, at St. Edwards in Minneota, MN. They bought a hobby farm west of Marshall and had one cow named Betsy, many calves, AQHA (quarter horses), cats, dogs, chickens, geese, and they raised Saint Bernards. 

Butch and Margie welcomed daughters Sara Jane, Kari Ann, and Dawn Margaret into their lives. Butch named each of the girls after a song from the 70’s. He enjoyed being home with his girls and was involved in many of their activities.

Butch worked for Lyman Gay’s DX service station specializing in rebuilding transmissions. He drove delivery trucks for the Deutz & Crow cement company, and delivered machinery for Bill’s Oliver Implement. Butch hauled PPG glass to Texas for Bennett’s Industry until they closed. He then became a paint and hardware manager at Taylor’s Lumber yard. When that business closed Butch went to work for Olson & Johnson International as a parts man until he retired. 

Butch loved to build and help people. He was a jack-of-all trades. He helped build The Key roller rink and bowling alley which was outside of Marshall. He was a maintenance man at J & J Apartments. He took on many painting jobs and did a great deal of handy man work for elderly people and friends. Every morning, he would religiously stop in and check on his mother. 

Butch was actively involved with VFW Post 742. He spent countless hours at the VFW Club and dutifully helped with the Memorial Day ceremony and Veteran’s Day service for over thirty years. Butch enjoyed working and setting up for the VFW Beer Garden at the Lyon County Fair each summer.

Butch loved children immensely and he was overjoyed to have seven grandchildren, who he helped care for and tirelessly supported. 

Butch was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018 and battled it as long as he could with a good attitude. He was the local Ambassador for Dementia Awareness in 2023. In July of 2024, Butch’s diagnosis was changed to Lewy Body Dementia.

Butch died on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Our House of Murray County Hospice. He was surrounded by his girls, loving wife, and exceptional caregivers. 

Butch’s brain and spinal cord was donated to the Veterans Affair Brain Bank for research. Lewy Body Dementia is an ugly disease that stole him from all of us.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents; Clifford Sr. and Gerrie Dahl, his godchild, Angela Cole, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Butch is survived by is wife of nearly 53 years, Margie, three daughters; Sara (Chuck) Shingledecker of Balaton, MN, Kari (Gus) Condezo of Marshall, MN, and Dawn (Matt) Kopperud of Slayton, MN, grandchildren; Tate, Alana, Isabel, Cole and Sadie Condezo, Levi and Asher Kopperud, sister, Karen (Jack) Cole, Lonsdale, MN, one aunt, June Carter of Marshall, MN and many outstanding cousins, in-laws, “out-laws”, nieces, nephews, and friends that loved him tremendously! 

Butch was a lover of animals and people. He enjoyed being outdoors doing anything. He lived his life to the best of his ability, and he helped many people. Blessed be his memory.