- Date Of Death: February 12, 2010
- State: Minnesota
Myrtle passed away on February 12, 2010 at Northwood Deaconess Hospital surrounded by her family. She had battled cancer for several years and the calm grace with which she coped with those challenges was an inspiration to her family and friends.
Myrtle Alice Nordling was born on November 19, 1922 in Lake Bronson, Minnesota to John and Alice (Carlson) Nordling. When Myrtle was thirteen years old, her family moved to Alvarado, Minnesota where they farmed. She grew up in a music loving family; Myrtle and several of her siblings played various instruments and sang in choirs both in Lake Bronson and Alvarado areas. When she was eighteen, Myrtle worked as a caretaker at a children’s home in Red Wing, Minnesota. On October 12, 1942, she married Bob Dahlstrom and to be near him during his military training, she moved to Fort Jackson Army Post in North Carolina.
After Bob returned from the South Pacific, they settled in Oslo, where they owned and operated Dahlstrom Motors. She was active in the community and focused her energy on the care and raising of their five children.
With the children grown and on their own, she opened Myrtle’s Ceramics in 1971, where she taught classes for over thirty-five years. She was passionate about her teaching and this enterprise was as much a mission as a successful business for her. Many of the homes in the area are decorated with ceramic artwork made by her students and friends. Myrtle’s grandchildren enjoyed countless hours “in the basement doing ceramics with Grandma.” The treasures they made under her gentle guidance are family keepsakes.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Melvin, George, Walter, Pearle, Roland and Doris.
Left to grieve her passing and to celebrate their memories are: her husband, Bob Dahlstrom of Valley 4000 in Grand Forks; children, Roberta (Ralph) Messelt of East Grand Forks; Dick (Myrna) Dahlstrom of Oslo; Charles (Michelle) Dahlstrom of Warrensburg, MO; Kay (Lee) Mendick of Grand Forks; and Rod (Teresa) Dahlstrom of Grand Forks; twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; sisters, Jeannie (Bob) Anderson of Warren, MN; Helen (Peder) Kitti of Des Moines, IA; and brother Lloyd (Betty) Nordling of East Grand Forks.
The family also wishes to recognize her many close long term friends as well as those medical staff who befriended her and provided such tender care and support during her illnesses. Of these special medical people she often commented: “It’s amazing how nice these people are… they have such hard jobs.”
Myrtle and her family want to thank all those who donate blood to the Dak-Minn Blood Bank. She was sustained for years on these precious gifts and her family wishes to encourage everyone able to consider donating blood.
