Donita Lou Dahl

Donita Lou Dahl Born, Donita Lou DeKraai on October 13, 1946 to George & Vera DeKraai in Brooking, South Dakota. As she grew up and went through school, she worked at Woolworth's, the local drive inn, and movie-theater to help her family. After graduating high school she left Brookings for Spokane, WA. to live with her sister Lois and attend beauty school. There, she met and married David Stevison and she found herself traveling as an Army wife and gave birth to the first of two daughter, Debby Stevison in Nov.1967 at Fort Bliss TX. After returning to the USA from 2 years in Germany, she moved to Vancouver WA., where they bought a house and gave birth to their second daughter, Dana Stevison in October of 1972. Through the years her dedication to her family earned her high praises for her love, caring, and guidance to her daughters, grandchildren and great grand children. All of them look back with stories of her efforts to show patience and total giving to see all were cared for. After her divorce, she began her medical training at Concordia College to become a Medical Assistant. With the job market flooded she began her retail career at Meier & Franks, Van Mall where she consistently exceeded all sales goals and received awards in all areas of her sales field. She also worked for J.C. Penney and retired her retail career from Target stores in Vancouver. In 1995 she met Calvin Dahl, and after a time of friendship and courting, they married in September of 2002, on the beach in Hawaii. Their combined love for family, friends, and good times guided them through life together for over 15 years until her battle with cancer took her from him and her family. At The Ray Hicky Hospice House, the clouds parted, and the sun shown very brightly through her window and onto her face. Warmed by the sun, she took her last breath signaling peace had come to her while surrounded by family. She is preceded in death by, father, George DeKraai; mother, Vera Westaby; brother, Roger DeKraai; sister, Lois Emery; brother, Gary DeKraai; Great Grandson, Hudson Lail. She leaves behind, her Husband, Calvin Dahl; daughter's, Debby Lail and Dana Stevison. Her brothers Darrel DeKraai, (Verna); Gordon DeKraai, (Christi); Randall DeKraai, (Russell); and niece Cheryl Crosley (Jack) nephew, Bradley Alberts (Cindy); Her grandchildren Jonas, Andrew, Zachary, and Amanda Lail. Her Great Granddaughters Abigail Zimmerman and Cara Lail. A large number of cousins, nieces and nephews in South Dakota. And Minnesota, as well as her ex-husband David Stevison.

Donita Lou Dahl

October 13, 1946 - January 5, 2018