Leighton “Lee” Dahl age 73 of Prior Lake, died peacefully on August 28, 2014. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 2 nd from 4-7pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street, Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life Service will be Wednesday 11am at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road, Prior Lake with visitation one hour prior. Urn Bearers will be Ronnie Brown, Don Grewing, Jerry Mohs and Jerry Guderjan. Reverend Les Svendsen will preside. Full Military Honors will be provided by the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Ebenezer Care Center, 13820 Community Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337.
On March 28, 1941 in Watertown, SD, Leighton J. Dahl was born to parents, Milton and Mae (Madson) Dahl. He was the younger brother to Dalton. Growing up in South Dakota and Iowa, he enjoyed swimming in the river and got his start of being a true outdoorsman, as he learned the art of hunting, trapping and fishing.
After graduating from high school in Madison, SD, he spent four years in the Air Force. It was there, that Lee received his training and Dental Technician Degree that propelled him into his professional career. He was stationed in France and had the opportunity to visit many countries in and around Europe.
After returning from the military, he met the love of his life, Judith Dahl. They were married in 1965 and soon after were blessed with two beautiful children, Shawn and Tana.
Following one year as an instructor at the University of Minnesota Dental School and another year working as a Dental Technician, Lee opened his own Dental Laboratory, Dahl Dental Studio in Minnetonka. For 48 years he proudly ran the practice until his retirement in 2007. He was fondly known as the “Tooth Fairy”.
Lee had a lifelong passion for the outdoors that he fulfilled as an avid hunter and fisherman. This passion carried him on many adventures to Alaska, Canada and all corners of the US in pursuit of his big game trophies, upland game birds and waterfowl. Lee was proud that his passion for the outdoors was taken on by his son, Shawn, as they took numerous trips and spent countless days afield together.
Their cabin and dream home on Lake Francis near Annandale, which later became their permanent residence, was the family’s special retreat. They spent most weekends there fishing, water skiing and enjoying the evening bonfires. Lee also enjoyed dancing and golfing. In their later years, He and Judi wintered in Arizona and enjoyed playing golf and four wheeling in the mountains with friends. Their travels around the Caribbean and to Hawaii were always special times he and Judi enjoyed together.
Lee was a member of the Dental Lab Association, Safari Club International and the VFW Post 6208 in Prior Lake.
Lee partnered in the development and construction of townhomes in Prior Lake and was proud of designing and building, both their Prior Lake and Annandale homes. He also restored his 1932 Ford street rod and loved raising and showing their Arabian show horses.
Known as a jokester, a “work hard/play hard” kind of a guy, and a man who’s pride was his family, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Judith; son, Shawn (Fern) Dahl of Lakeville; daughter, Tana Dahl of Prior Lake; grandson, Joey and his father, Joseph Rombach of Lakeville; sister in law Betty Sue Dahl of Fort Morgan, CO.
Lee was preceded in death by his infant son, Scott Dahl; parents, Milton and Mae Dahl; brother, Dalton Dahl.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served Lee’s family.
