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Henry David Dalquist

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Henry Dalquist Obituary

Dalquist, Henry David - Founder and Chairman of Nordic Ware (Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.) Born in Minneapolis, May 25, 1918, died at home in Edina on January 2, 2005 at age 86, surrounded by his loving family. Graduate of the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Following his navy service aboard the destroyer USS Swanson during WWII, Dave started his business with $500 and a dream. Over the years, he set standards for excellence and service with his corporation. In 1987, he was elected to both the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame in St. Paul and the Entrepreneur's Hall of Fame in Boston. He was a past member of several executive boards including the Minneapolis Heart Institute Founder's Board, Suomi College (Finlandia) and the National Housewares Manufacturers Association. He was also a member of the University of Minnesota's President's Club. Passionate in his love for Lake Superior, he served for 29 years as Rear Commodore for the Great Lakes Cruising Club, and was involved with the Lake Superior Center in Duluth and the Lake Superior Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, Michigan. He promoted ecological concern for Lake Superior by bringing senators and governors from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan aboard his motor vessel Northlander, and acted as a goodwill ambassador for foreign dignitaries. During the past two years, he completed his book 'The Nordic Ware Saga' which will be published in 2005. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Margerite Staugaard Dalquist; as well as by his 4 children, Corrine (Michael) Lynch of Eden Prairie, David (Martha) Dalquist of Minnetonka, Linda (Glenn) Jeffrey of Medina and Susan (Thomas) Brust of Dellwood; his 12 grandchildren, Christopher Lynch, Kimberly Lynch Harris, Andrew Lynch, Nicholas Lynch, Jennifer Dalquist, Michelle Dalquist, Erika Jeffrey Vickerman, Justin Jeffrey, Jonathan Jeffrey, Kelsie Brust, Erik Brust and Kristina Brust. Preceded in death by his sister, Donna Dalquist Rustad; and his brother, Mark Dalquist. Visitation Thursday (Jan 6) 4-8 PM at Washburn-McReavy, Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road (1 block N. of Hwy 5.) Memorial service Friday (Jan 7) 2 PM at NORMANDALE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Grand Marais Harbor Park or the Madeline Island Museum. Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press from Jan. 5 to Jan. 6, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Henry Dalquist

20 Entries

Myron Joshua

January 23, 2005

My mother, Rose Joshua, was the Hadassah woman who brought her cast iron "Bundt" pan to Mr. Dalquist for replication.

She fondly remembers Mr. Dalquist's graciousness then, and we, the next generation, can vouch that he truly possessed that quality.

Just a year or so ago, Mr. Dalquist kindly wrote my mother and all her children letters recalling the "historic" meeting and sent us each a shiney new Aluminum Bundt pan so we can keep the tradition going.

We would like to pay tribute to the man and send his family our sincere feelings of consolation.

Pam Blanchard

January 13, 2005

Uncle Dave, I am so lucky to be apart of this family and to have had the chance to know you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Pam (Staugaard) Blanchard

Andy and Michelle Biller

January 6, 2005

Michelle and I had the pleasure of meeting Dave and Dotty Dalquist @five years ago while conducting business with NordicWare. As a result of getting to know Dave, Dotty and their son David and his family we were introduced to Madeline Island and the beautiful Apostle Island region. Since that time we have taken our three children on a family vacation that included a visit to Madeline Island so they could experience the area. Dave's love of his family, his business and boating has left a positive impression on my family as well. Our deepest sympathy is with the Dalquist family at this time of loss.

Cathi & David Williams

January 6, 2005

Our sympathy goes out to all the Dahlquist family, and especially to

Tom & Susan Brust & children, who we've met and outfitted many times. The loss of a parent is never easy to accept, especially one so loved.

Cathi & David at Bear Track Outfitting Co.

Sherin Dahn

January 6, 2005

Dave was an amazing person to work for and to know. I feel honored to have worked for him for so many years. He treated everyone he knew with respect. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Candy Holmbo

January 6, 2005

As a former long-time employee of Northland Aluminum Products, I have never forgotten what a warm, kind, and respectful man Mr. Dalquist was.

My deepest sympathy to the entire Dalquist family.

Sincerely,

Ashley Aronson

January 6, 2005

My prayers are with your family. He was a great man. I'm honored to know him.

Robin DuChien

January 6, 2005

I met Dave a few years ago. He asked me to come out to his home on Lake Superior and do a market analysis for him. He wasn't interested in selling and was just wondering what the place was worth. I ended up staying for more than 2 hours just visiting with him about many different subjects. I will always remember what a kind and interesting man he was. I still think of him often.

My heartfelt condolences to the Dahlquist family.

Kate McCanna

January 6, 2005

My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Dalquist and her family. I took great comfort from David jr. and David Sr. at my mother's (Catherine Tobin) funeral almost two years ago. The affection they (and all the Nordic Ware family) had for my mother gave our family smiles and peace in our mourning.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your loss.

Kate (Tobin) McCanna

Dave, Donna (Rustad), Mark and Mabel Dalquist - 1978

Julie (Rustad) Lahammer

January 5, 2005

Uncle Dave was a man passionate about his family, business, Lake Superior, trains and more. I remember when Grandma lived with us, Uncle Dave would call her every night to talk about the day's events. This picture is from 1978. Now Mabel has her three children home with her again - Dave, Donna (my mom), and Mark. We miss all of them greatly.

Dale Riley

January 5, 2005

I first met Mr. Dalquist when I was 16 years old and a friend of his son David. He was the most "attentive" father I had ever met. We would laugh and joke about his atention to his children...never fully appreciating the love he had for his family until we became parents ourselves.

One could not ask for a more caring father and this love and concern extended beyond his family as well. I read other entries in this Guest Book and hear of the love and concern he had for the employees of Nordic Ware and their families...rare in today's world.. and to be admired.

When you visit Lake Superior the next time, and look to the sky at night and see the brilliant stars ,think of this...

PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT STARS, BUT RATHER OPENINGS IN HEAVEN WHERE THE LOVE OF OUR LOST ONES SHINES DOWN TO LET US KNOW THEY ARE WITH US....

Peace to you David and your entire Family

Janet and Dale Riley

Mike & Kathy Ceaser

January 5, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dahlquist family.

Mary Kay Johnson

January 5, 2005

Nordic Ware has been a part of my life as long as I can remember, so I want to convey my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Dalquist and the entire family. As I'm sure you know, my mother, Catherine Tobin, was one of the first employees at Nordic Ware. Mother spoke many times of the early days and the talent, dedication and hard work that went into building Nordic Ware. She also spoke often about the life-long friendships and that Nordic Ware was unique in its deep and continued regard for employees, including the many retirees. Mr. Dalquist's contributions to his many causes is impressive and admirable. I look forward to reading The Nordic Ware Saga. Kindest Regards, Mary K. Kunz Johnson

David Zanussi

January 5, 2005

My wife Susan and I extend our sympathies to the Dalquist family. We got to know him through his lovely daughter Susan. I will never forget the pride that Mr Dalquist had showing me the engine room on his beloved boat. I was very fortunate to accompany him at the helm later that afternoon from Madeline Island to Ashland for winter storage on a beautiful crisp fall day. That is a great memory for me to have of a great man..

Rich and Lori Hecomovich

January 5, 2005

Dave Sr. will be missed by all who knew him, his stories warmed the hearts of his family and friends....It was an honor to have worked with him and to have been a part of his life. Our thoughts are with Dotty and her family at this most difficult time.

Sincerely

Rich Lori and Kimmy

David and Laurie Knutson

January 5, 2005

We were fortunate to spend time with Dave through his daughter Susan. His intellectual curiosity was amazing and inspiring. There wasn't a subject he wasn't interested in or which he hadn't studied. He was a captain of industry dedicated to the improvement of our world.

Donald Rustad

January 5, 2005

Dave had so many great qualities.He was the most focussed man I have ever known, "quit", and "give" up were not in his vocabulary.He never burned bridges and always showed kindness to everyone. No one ever showed more love and dedication to his family and friends than Dave Dalquist.

Dan Carle

January 5, 2005

Dear David and Family,

There are only a few people in life whose committment to integrity and caring for others will be remembered. Your dad was such a person. I will miss him.

Dan

Bette (BJ) Danielson

January 5, 2005

As a long-term employee - as many of us are - we will miss the man we respected so much. The man that would walk through the plant with guests and lift his hand to wave a "hello" and nod his head. We always knew he appreciated our contributions and we trusted him to steer the company ship. We will miss him and extend our most sincere condolences to the entire Dalquist family.

Kathy Lucas

January 5, 2005

I worked at Nordicware in 2002 and 2003. It was a great company to work for and I have memories of seeing Mr. Dalquist coming in the office. My thoughts are with the entire family at this time.

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