Edgar V. Dahl

First Sergeant Edgar V. Dahl (United States Army, retired) passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 1, 2008, at Madigan Army Medical Center after a short illness.
Karin, his wife and partner of 46 years, was present at his side when he passed. He will be missed by everyone who knew him as a loving and caring father, brother, uncle, and papa. He leaves behind three loving sons, Edgar (Jennifer), Michael (Christina), and Patrick; two beautiful daughters, Susan (Klaus), and Karen (Tom); twelve grandchildren; and a brother, Terry.
Edgar was born on July 7, 1939 in Langdon, North Dakota. Later, after moving to Washington State with his parents, he graduated from Federal Way High School in 1957. He joined the Navy after graduation and then joined the United States Army where he spent the next 22 years wearing Army green, eventually retiring at Fort Lewis in 1982 as a First Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division's signal battalion.
He met his wife Karin in Germany on one of his many military assignments overseas. Their married adventure began in 1964 and together they traveled the world, raised five children, and became best friends. He was a two-tour veteran of Vietnam and was proud of the service to his country. For his service, he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, several Meritorious Service Medals and Army Commendation Medals, as well as numerous other awards. He was most proud of his 9th Infantry Division combat patch and his First Sergeant stripes.
After retiring from the Army. Edgar started a career with the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) at Cedar Creek Corrections Facility. He retired from the State in January 2004. His colleagues remember him as a professional corrections officer with a quick wit and easy going demeanor, who was a fair man in the execution of his duties with the prisoners.
Edgar loved spending time maintaining his beautiful yard and sitting on his deck with Karin watching the sun go down over the lake after a hard day's work. He also enjoyed camping at Riffe Lake and doting over his small army of grandchildren. Those grandkids kept him young, made him boastful, and got him in trouble as he let them do the things their parents would never let them do! He was at his best in the role of a loving grandfather who never was too busy to drop what he was doing to spend time with the little ones. Edgar will be missed by everyone who knew him. his sense of humor was infectious; his love for the family abundant; and his zest for life rare. God has taken him from us. I suppose he needed a grizzled First Sergeant to get some of the angels into shape.
The viewing will be Monday. October 6, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mills & Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater. The funeral will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., also at Mills & Mills.