Helen S. Dahlberg

1933 - 2017

Helen S. Dahlberg

Helen Lenore Stoltz Dahlberg was born to Oscar and Helen Stoltz, April 19, 1933, in Ottumwa Iowa. She was the youngest of four siblings; Frank, Stephen, Marjorie, and finally Helen!

As a child and throughout high school, Helen excelled in both piano and voice, accruing many honors.

Helen attended State University of Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education, specializing in vocal and piano performance. During her senior year, in 1954, she met William Henry Dahlberg, a first-year dental student also studying at the university. They were married in 1955. Helen taught music at the university for elementary students one year, and then two more years in Iowa public schools while William finished his dental studies.

It was during this time that William (Bill) joined the Public Health Service, and, in 1958 was stationed briefly at Staten Island where, on December 29, Helen gave birth to David William Dahlberg.

In 1961, with Bill now stationed in Bethesda, Maryland, Stephen Frank Dahlberg was born. Shortly after, the family moved to Seattle, Washington for Bill to enter and complete his periodontal studies at the University of Washington. They eventually decided to make Seattle home. Bill resigned from the service in the late 1960's, and opened his periodontal practice.

In 1968 Helen and Bill purchased a beautiful house in Lake Forest Park: here they would live for the next 43 years. In the center or the main floor, beneath open ceilings, stood a beautiful grand piano. From this location Helen filled the house with music on a daily basis, displaying her singing and piano playing for what sometimes seemed hours at a time.

Helena and Bill possessed great musical talent, and passed it along to their two sons, who, along with their own wives, passed even more to their grandchildren. Among the five grandchildren, three are or are planning to be professional musicians (teachers and performers), all have played numerous instruments and are very good singers.

Helen shared her music with the world. She especially loved teaching music to young children. Besides teaching music in schools early on, she spent years directing children's choirs at various churches. She performed on a regular basis with numerous local musicians' groups, church choirs, and latest, with the Women's University Club Choir in Seattle.

Helen gave of herself tirelessly, and was active in community organizations such as The Ark and the Shoreline PTA. She was an outstanding Den Mother for several years while her sons were Cub Scouts. And she was a very proud Scout mother when, years later, she pinned Eagle Scout badges to both her sons, having been instrumental in encouraging them along the years. Later, all of her grandsons would in their own turn earn the rank of Eagle.

Helen loved the outdoors. She loved to camp, and she loved going out on the water. She especially loved the waters of Puget Sound and the Inside Passage. From camping and boating at Orcas Island in the 1960's, to exploring from Desolation Sound up to the Broughton Islands in her later years, she never tired of it.

Starting in her early sixties, Helen began to exhibit signs of Parkinson's disease. She fought the disease for about a quarter century, living an active lifestyle up to just the last few years. She gradually lost her ability to sing and play piano, but this loss was countered in part by her grandchildren, who would constantly perform music for her. Up to her very last days she would smile and have appreciative words for the songs she heard.

Now, once restricted by Parkinson's, Helen moves freely once again, and is no doubt singing in the Lord's Choir.

Helen Dahlberg leaves her husband Bill, sister Marjorie, and her descendants behind: David Dahlberg, Stephen Dahlberg, their respective wives Judy and Nancy, and grandchildren Matthew (wife Christy), Jacob (wife Rachel), Luke, Callie and Elise, and great grandchild Jack Dahlberg (son of Matt and Christy).

A memorial service will be held on August 24th at 3:00pm, Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church, 17440 Brookside Blvd. NE, Lake Forest Park, WA.

All are welcome to attend.