Mary Jane (Johnsen) DAHLGREN

JOHNSEN, DAHLGREN, MICHAELSON, FEE, STRAYER, DAVIS, ZAJICEK, SNYDER, DEWALL, GORD, VANDYKE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/28/2013 at 14:06:20

August 17, 1931 --- December 25, 2013

Mary Jane (Johnsen) Dahlgren passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2013 at the age of 82 in Clarion, Iowa. Funeral services for Mary Jane Dahlgren will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the First Lutheran Church, 420 1st Street North West in Clarion with Pastor Kim Lee officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Visitation will be held Friday, December 27, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

She was a blessing to many as a wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, sister, friend, as well as a local teacher for 30+ years. She was engaged in the business of living life to the fullest. She was born on August 17, 1931 in rural Wright County, Iowa to Osborn and Agnes (Michaelson) Johnsen, the eldest of six children in that Norwegian Lutheran family. Her childhood years included time in Holmes, Grinnell, and finally Dakota City, Iowa. She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1949 with the class known as the “49 – 49ers.” Mary Jane’s dream of attending college and becoming a teacher was fulfilled when she earned her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. She moved to Clarion to teach elementary school until her blind date with Albert Dahlgren. They were married on February 27, 1954 in Humboldt and shared 59 years of lovin’. Together they raised five children on the family’s dairy farm east of town. She supported her loved ones in endless ways. Mary Jane was devoted to her family, both immediate and extended. She encouraged others to try new things. “You can do it!” was her motto. She was the best cheerleader for her kids and grandkids and was present for all the major milestones in their lives as well as the lives of many nieces and nephews, too. If there was a need, she did her best to meet it. Sharing and caring, nurturing and nudging, listening and learning, comfort and compassion - - that was Mary Jane - - and her family loved her for it. Driving, baking, cooking, babysitting, waiting, hugging and praying were additional personal specialties and were freely shared.

Mary Jane loved teaching. Commuting to Iowa State University for several summers as well as night classes, she got re-certified in Elementary Ed (BS) and then earned her Master’s degree in Special Ed. She taught in Eagle Grove and then returned to her beloved Clarion Community Schools. Patiently serving students with learning disabilities as one of the first teachers in the area with a Resource Room was very gratifying to her. Helping students to learn and succeed was her passion. She was a great encourager to “her kids” and went out of her way to make a difference in her students’ lives. She was instrumental in launching the computer program at CHS and owned one of the first Apple computers to be available to educators. Retirement came in the early 1990’s, though she still remained connected to the schools as a member of the Senior Life Projects panel of evaluators.

Mary Jane was also an active, vibrant member of the Clarion community. She took pride in her town, served with the Hospital Auxiliary, was a charter member of the Clarion Arts Council, was a Museum board member, and belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. AAUW honored her as Woman of the Year in 1996. 4-H loyalties were obvious as she supported all related events. She taught English as a Second Language classes to Spanish, Polish, German, and Vietnamese individuals and assisted refugee families in getting established in this new land. Writing grants was another way she supported her community.

She also loved to host out-of-town visitors for local events such as the Teddy Bear Reunion and RAGBRAI. International guests enjoyed her hospitality for long-term stays in Clarion from the Netherlands and Japan through various foreign exchange programs. As a member of First Lutheran Church, she served in such capacities as Sunday school teacher (both children and adult), confirmation teacher, Church Women president, and Circle chairman. Committee memberships included nominating, staff support, stewardship, courtesy, altar, and global missions. The expression “if you want to get something done right, you ask a busy person,” certainly applied to Mary Jane because she rarely said “no” to anyone.

Traveling much of the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii, with Albert was great fun. Adventures to Norway and Japan were other highlights for Mary Jane and she always returned with special memories to share and new relationships forged. She took pride in her Norwegian heritage. Hobbies and skills included crafting; knitting; embroidery; rosemaling; quilting; sewing; gardening; reading; crossword puzzling; poetry writing; and collecting teddy bears, spoons, blue glassware, and bells. She also made Kringla, Lefse and Apple Goody to perfection. All of these talents were shared with others, too. Though her Alzheimer’s condition took her to a far-away place, Mary Jane’s spirit remained strong till the end. Her caring heart still reached out to others and her expressions of affection were still present. Her legacy of love will continue on in her family for generations.

Mary Jane is survived by her children Dave/Kathy Dahlgren of Clarion; Jim Dahlgren of Clarion; Sandy/Chuck Fee of Goldfield; and Pam/Rick Strayer of Andover, MN … her grandchildren Jared/Camie Dahlgren of Colorado Springs, CO; Nick Dahlgren of New York, NY; Aubrey Davis of Des Moines; Zach/Whitney Dahlgren of Waterloo; Caleb Dahlgren of Goldfield; Mikayla Dahlgren of Goldfield; Christina Zajicek of Champlin, MN; Ben Strayer of Champlin, MN; Mary Lynn/Brad Snyder of Romeoville, IL; and Danielle Fee of Johnston … and seven great grandchildren. Also her siblings Isabelle/Herman DeWall, Alice/Don Gord, Harold Johnsen, Robert/Linda Johnsen … numerous nieces and nephews … and many other relatives and friends. She will be missed by all. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband Albert in June, her son Mike Dahlgren, her parents, and her sister Dorothy VanDyke.

Ewing Funeral Home
http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries.php?id=680