Dr. James Dahl

A retired cardiologist, Jim Dahl died peacefully at home with his wife Marilyn by his side and the music of Glen Miller playing in the background. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Helen.


Jim grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota, but was born in St. Paul so his mother could have a female obstetrician. She was a college-educated school teacher who campaigned for public education in Minnesota. Jim's father sold road graders and later insurance, and was instrumental in building the Hutchinson cooperative power plant. Jim and his older sister Elsa were children of the Great Depression who learned to be frugal, practical and creative when means were scarce. Jim did well in school and became an Eagle Scout. He attended Hamline University but was called home after his father suffered a heart attack, a life-changing event that inspired him to become a doctor.


With the financial help of the US Army and an aunt, Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1946. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Rochester (NY) General Hospital (1947, 1948) and served at the Minneapolis V.A. Hospital (1948-51). From 1953 to 1955 he served in the Army Medical Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. He also was an instructor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota (1951-53; 1955-56).


After serving abroad, Jim established a private medical practice in the Twin Cities with two other physicians. Over time, he became concerned that long working hours were cutting into his family life, and he joined the St. Louis Park Medical Center (now called Park Nicollet Medical Center) around 1960, remaining with the multi-specialty group until he retired in 1985. In 1986, Jim traveled to Taiwan to establish a blood pressure screening and treatment program at Kaohsiung's Chang Gung Memorial Hospital similar to one he helped create in St. Louis Park.


Jim and Marilyn Rollwagen married in 1998, built a home on Green Lake in Spicer, and enjoyed life together until his death. They made two trips to Sweden, where they located distant relatives and made new friends, and hosted countless parties for family and friends in their Green Lake home.


Jim enjoyed family vacations, sailing, skiing, hiking, a good book and a good beer. He was an enthusiastic Minnesota sports fan and loved classical music and jazz.


He is survived by his wife Marilyn Rollwagen-Dahl; three children Christine Dahl (Scot Anderson) of St. Paul, Jim Dahl (Robin) of Greenwood and Nancy Martinson (Bruce) of Minnetrista; and five grandchildren JT Dahl, Trevor Dahl, Tom Dahl, Lisa Ankeny and Kristin Ankeny-Bickenbach (John Bickenbach); and his sister, Elsa Young of Dassel. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Jim (Kristine) Rollwagen of Mendota Heights, Steven (Kristi) Rollwagen of Bloomington and Dave (Mary) Rollwagen of Burnsville; eleven step-grandchildren and eight step-great grandchildren.


A memorial celebration of Jim's life is planned for July 7, 2018, 2-6pm, at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center near Spicer. Memorials preferred to the donor's choice.

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