Helmer Woodrow William Dahl, of Hutto, was born April 19, 1924, and went home to be with his Lord Aug. 6, 2023, blessed with 99 years on this earth.
He was the sixth child of seven born to Oscar and Hilda Dahl, emigrants from Sweden to the United States in the early 1900s. Both came as single adults and married a few years after arriving.
Helmer was baptized and confirmed at Hutto Lutheran Church. Helmer attended Monodale School and graduated from Hutto High School.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Corps and U.S. Army, and assisted in war crimes trials at the notorious Camp Dachau in Germany.
Returning, he met and courted Kathryn Elizabeth Weiss, while working in Austin and attending school in Chicago. They married May 8, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville.
They purchased a farm north of Hutto where they raised three children, David Dahl (Jacqueline), Christy Noren, and Karole Eno, who survive him.
As a lover of music, Helmer began his musical career at a young age with his God given gift, a harmonica, an accordion and an organ. For 50 years, he entertained at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, political events and more. Upon retirement from his musical career, he began playing gospel music at home. His weekends were filled with music, traveling, and visiting all the beautiful places God made for us to enjoy as well as spending time with his family that he loved immensely.
Helmer was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and their spouses, Signe (Mac) McDowell, Viola (Chester) Deen, Ann (Don) McCullough, Martha (Milton) Krenek, Mayme Speed and Thure Dahl; and his loving wife of 68 years, Kathryn. His-son-in-law, John W. Noren, also preceded him in death.
Surviving are his children, nine grandchildren, Kristi (Fanie) Reinach, Jenny Noren (Tim Alvarez), Christopher (Beth) Noren, Rebecca (Mike) Berckenhoff, Stacie (Levi) Sawyer, Katherine (Dakota) Wampler, Brittany (Mike) Morris, Victoria Eno and Audrie (Thomas) Elam; 20 great grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service was held Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. at Hutto Lutheran Church, 402 Church St. in Hutto.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hutto Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or a charity of your choice.
