Leonard Dahl

1923 - 2025

Leonard Dahl

September 19, 1923 - November 15, 2025

Leonard "Len" Dahl passed away with family by his side on November 15, 2025, at the age of 102. Born in North Dakota in 1923, he grew up in Sidney, Montana. After graduating from high school in 1942, he served in the infantry in the South Pacific, seeing action in New Guinea and Luzon in the Philippines. Len graduated with honors in accounting from the University of Montana in 1949. He moved to Billings while working for General Motors and married Marguerite Williams in 1951.

In 1957, Len joined Bankers Life Insurance Co. of Des Moines, Iowa – later renamed Principal Financial Group - and retired as Agency Manager in 1989. He traveled extensively throughout Montana and Northern Wyoming, mentored many successful agents, and received numerous awards, including trips to London, Hawaii, Florida, and San Francisco. He was a charter member of the Billings Chartered Life Underwriters Chapter, serving as president of the local chapter and of the Montana Association of Life Underwriters.

Len was active in civic affairs. As a Mason, he was Past Master of Ashlar Lodge and a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Al Bedoo Shrine. In Scouting, he guided many young boys as a Scoutmaster and served as District Chairman, Vice President, and President of the Montana Council, earning the Silver Beaver Award. As a member of the Cemetery Commission and the Parks and Recreation Committee, Len was instrumental in the development of the Par Three Golf Course. He also served on the Billings Studio Theater and Billings Symphony boards and was a member of both the Billings Optimist and Kiwanis Clubs.

Len loved attending church from the time he was a young boy. He was an active member of Billings First United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School and served as Lay Leader, Trustee, and on numerous committees.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Esther, and by his sisters, Clara, Peggy, Alice, and Ruth.

Len is survived by his wife of 74 years, Marguerite; his children and grandchildren, Roberta (Allen Watson) and her daughter Hannah; John (Beth-jana) and children, Jackson, Rachael, Rebecca, and Hailey; Jane (Chuck) Thomes and children, Deborah (and great-grandson Oliver) and Jonathan; Richard (Kellie) and his children, Isabella and James. He was the deeply admired and much-loved leader of the Dahl family who fondly remember his silly stories and dedication to the family. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held November 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Billings First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Billings First United Methodist Church, 2800 4th Ave. N, Billings, MT 59101 or the University of Montana Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807.