Robert "Bob" Dahl

Robert (Bob) Dahl, age 74 of Arlington, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Oak Terrace Health Care Center in Gaylord.  Funeral service will be March 10th, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Arlington MN.    Visitation will be on Monday, March 9th, 2020, 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 pm and one hour prior to service at Kolden Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Arlington Public Cemetery.  Lunch to follow at the Arlington Haus II.

Bob was born on June 25th, 1945 to Vernon (Vernie, Doc) and Florence (Artman) Dahl-Bigaouette in Ithaca, NY.  He grew up in Arlington, MN where he went to Arlington-Green Isle high school. His family then moved and he graduated from St. Paul Park high school in 1963.  He was on the National Honor Society and lettered in basketball and baseball.

He received his degree at Mankato State University and majored in Russian Studies and Psychology.  He worked and lived in Michigan for many years.  He worked as an insurance adjustor for Aetna in Michigan.  He later moved back to raise a family in Prior Lake.

Bob was involved in his community and was a beloved hockey coach.. Quoting Greg James,  a youth Bob coached, “I can tell you that Bob’s tenacity and discipline as a coach when we were squirts and peewees made a big impact on me and others. At that age you are impressionable and he was a great coach.”

He married Debra (Debbie Petzel) on December 31, 2012 in Center City, MN.   They enjoyed living in Lindstrom, MN where Bob continued to work from home until he retired from Travelers Insurance Company as an Insurance Adjustor in December 2013.  He traveled all over the country on business and sometimes Debbie would accompany him. Bob enjoyed hunting deer and turkey and spending time with Debbie at his cabin in Taylors Falls, MN.  They both enjoyed taking his “big boat, Big Meg” out fishing on Lake Michigan in Port Washington, WI.

There were numerous other outdoor activities they enjoyed together including four-wheeling.  In Minnesota cold winter months, he turned to ice fishing.  He always had the latest and greatest ice houses with numerous amenities.  It was always a fun time with family and friends ice fishing, (sometimes catching).

Bob had a deep love for cars, particularly Corvettes.  At the time of his illness he had a 1991 little red corvette and a 1981 black corvette.  He was basically a Chevy man, but later he turned Ford as his son, Jeffrey works for Ford in Detroit. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Debbie Dahl; children, Jeffrey Dahl and Suzanne (John) Benedict; grandchildren, Jack and Holly Benedict; step-siblings, Dennis Bigaouette, Betty Pederson, Mary Johnson, Sharon (Gary) Lauwagie, Francis (Wendy) Bigaouette, Jr., and Theresa (Joe) Young; and many other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; Dr.Vernie Dahl in 1978, and Florence Dahl-Bigaouette in 2019.

Bob’s family would like to acknowledge and thank Oak Terrace staff and St. Croix Hospice for all of their help, love, and support through this difficult time. 

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