Bob Dahlstrom

March 12, 1916 - February 24, 2010

Bob Dahlstrom died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 24, 2010, at Valley 4000 in Grand Forks, ND. His wife of sixty-seven years, Myrtle, had passed from this life twelve days earlier. Bob was born in Oslo, Minnesota on March 12, 1916, to Swedish immigrant parents, Charlie and Anna (Olson) Dahlstrom. He had five sisters. Bob graduated from Oslo High School in 1932 and attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He began pursuing his life-long passion in the automobile business at the age of 16 when, with borrowed money, he traveled by bus to Detroit, Michigan, where he purchased used Model A Fords. He chained the bumpers of these cars together and drove them back to the Oslo where he and his father sold them.
 
Bob entered the Army on May 18, 1942.  On October 12, 1942, during his military training, he married Myrtle Nordling. He served as a combat infantryman in the South Pacific during WWII. After the war, he returned to Oslo where he and Myrtle raised their family of five children and Bob worked with his father at Dahlstrom Motors. 
 
Bob was a lifetime member of the Oslo Zion Lutheran Church. He served the community on the Oslo City Council, as a board member of Valley State Bank, and on numerous other civic organizations, including the Valley Memorial Home Association in Grand Forks. Bob was a discrete and generous philanthropist and supported the work of his church, missionaries and children’s organizations.
 
He was a dedicated fisherman. Bob, his family and friends netted literally tons of walleyes over the past fifty years on Lake of the Woods. He was also the consummate storyteller. His agile memory and attention to everyday detail captivated the attention of his children, grandchildren, and friends. But more than anything else, Bob was a passionate automobile man. Even after his retirement, he actively monitored the markets and trends, and was thrilled to be consulted on car deals by his sons and grandson whom continue his business legacy.
 
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife Myrtle, and sisters: Lucille, Bernice Vettrus, Esther Hanson, and Adelaide Campbell.
 
Left to grieve his passing and tell the stories of his life are his children: Roberta (Ralph) Messelt of East Grand Forks MN; Dick (Myrna) Dahlstrom of Oslo; Charlie (Michelle) Dahlstrom of Warrensburg, MO; Kay (Lee) Mendick of Grand Forks, ND; and Rod (Teresa) Dahlstrom of Grand Forks, ND; twelve grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one sister: Audrey (Fred) Nordenstrom of Coon Rapids, MN.
 
Bob’s family members wish to thank the staff at Valley 4000 for their tender care during his last months. Bob and his family request that any memorials be sent to the Oslo Zion Lutheran Church and/or Valley Memorial Homes.

 

 

Dahlstrom Motors would not be here today without Bob's passion, vision, and leadership.  He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and employees.  Rest in peace Bob.

Bob Dahlstrom's 93rd Birthday


Bob with his wife Myrtle and youngest son Rod
Bob with close friend Bud Lofthus




















Dahlstrom Motors Inc.
301 Main Street
Oslo, MN 56744
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