Reverend Robert Colburn Dahm

1951 - 2025

Reverend Robert Colburn Dahm

March 27, 1951 - November 19, 2025

WILSON, WI - Reverend Robert Colburn Dahm, age 74 of Wilson, WI passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Baldwin Care Center. He was born in Shawano, WI to Robert and Vera (Colburn) Dahm on March 27th, 1951. Bob graduated from Shawano High School in 1969 and then graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1973 with a degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.

In the 1980s, Bob met Susan Warland Stary, and they married on October 6, 1990, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI. Sue was the love of his life and preceded him in death in December 2023. Bob credits Sue for inspiring his faith journey and providing amazing support as he attended seminary to become a Pastor. Bob also described being moved by the Holy Spirit during Holy Communion as the foundation for his calling.

Prior to becoming a Pastor, Bob had a long career in public service including 26 years with the state of Minnesota in the Department of Public Safety and retired as Chief Deputy Fire Marshall in 2014. Bob loved to fish and shared fond memories of his Horseshoe Lake outings. His tremendous sense of humor, desire to build relationships and commitment to serving others set the stage for him to become a Pastor. With encouragement from Susan, Bob began to take seminary classes on a part time basis and served as Vicar for Wilson Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church starting in August 2011.

Bob was ordained on November 30th, 2014, and was immediately installed as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Forest, WI) and Wilson Lutheran Church (Wilson, WI). He served at Immanuel until April 2021 and continued to serve as pastor at Wilson Lutheran until this November when illness prompted him to retire. Bob proclaimed the gospel which was first and foremost in his life, faith, and ministry. Bob emphasized the importance of receiving Jesus's love and partnering with Jesus to build life giving relationships. Bob loved serving his Lord Jesus Christ and especially loved his congregation at Wilson Lutheran. He was very grateful for their tremendous support after Susan's death and during his illness.

Bob is survived by his brother-in-law Jim Warland; Susan's niece Jackie Visger and family; Susan's nephew Robert Warland and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his parents; his brother Ron Dahm; Susan's parents Fred and Eva Warland; brother-in-law Joe Warland; brother-in-law, Jeff Warland; and Susan's daughter, Robin Messick.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Turtle Lake, WI on a later date. Memorials may be made to Wilson Lutheran Church, Wilson, WI.

Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI is serving the family. To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.