Michael Dahl, age 63, of rural Bayard passed away on Tuesday July 1, 2025, following a tractor accident near his home.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Bayard Community Center in Bayard with burial at the Willow Township Cemetery north of Bayard. Visitation, also at the Community Center, will be between 11:30 a.m. until 1:45 pm. on Wednesday. Pastor Carolyn Schwartz of the Bayard United Methodist Church will officiate. Casket bearers are Jared Dahl, Paul Lemke, Kelly Nielsen, Kyle Nielsen, Tim Murrane, Bryan Booth, Ely Booth and Scott McClellan.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Mike’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Michael Thomas Dahl, son of Thomas and Janet (Hanen) Dahl, was born August 1, 1961, in Jefferson, Iowa. He grew up on a farm south of Bagley. With many young families in the area, strong bonds were made, leading to a lifetime of neighborhood picnics and so much more. When Mike was in junior high school, his family moved to rural Bayard. There, he worked on the family farm and attended the Bayard school where he was very active in sports. He played football and baseball, but excelled in track and field, breaking records and winning many medals for the team. He graduated from Bayard in 1979.
After graduating, Mike farmed for a short time with his Dad and brother, Jeff. A few years later, Mike worked for Gene Phelps assembling machinery. In time, his skill set shifted to jobs that involved construction and carpentry. In the early 90’s Mike went out on his own, eventually creating a one man operation: Dahl Construction.
On May 28th, 1994, Mike was united in marriage with Jennifer Wolf at the Bayard United Methodist Church. With this marriage, Mike lovingly gained his son Shane. The family lived in Bayard for a short time before settling on their present home north of Bayard. Once there, the three began the long, loving journey restoring and renovating both house and yard. It was home and that meant everything to Mike.
When Mike took the time, he enjoyed antiquing with his wife, Jennifer, and snow skiing with his son, Shane. He didn’t allow himself much spare time, but he did enjoy reading, fishing from the shoreline, and coffee with friends and family. He was a die hard Hawkeye fan. Most weekends the football game had to be recorded, but it was top priority when Saturday’s work came to an end. Mike was always busy and had a huge vegetable garden. He grew huge tomatoes and managed to win second place, at the State Fair, the first time he entered. Mike obviously never forgot his farming roots. He had a few cows and grew alfalfa hay that he and his nephew, Jared, put up in the barn for future sale. Some of the happiest days of Mike’s life were spent on a tractor. Mowing and raking hay wasn’t work to him, it was pure joy.
Mike is survived by his wife Jennifer Dahl of rural Bayard; his son Shane Wolf of rural Bayard; two brothers Jeff (Jennifer) Dahl and Todd (Gloria) Dahl, all of rural Bayard; two sisters Ann Dahl (Tammy Barton) of Liberty, Missouri, and Kris (Darwin) Larrison of Bettendorf; aunts and uncles: Ted (Sandy) Dahl of Waukesha, WI; Ruth McDonald of Rising Sun, MD; Jerry (Janet) Hanen of Branson, MO; his mother-in-law Martha Wolf of Bayard; two sisters-in-law Kerry Weston of Branson, MO, and Karla Kaufman of West Des Moines; numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Gerald Wolf; brother-in-law David Wolf; nieces Emma Dahl and Allia Janning; great niece Sydney Weston; four uncles: George McDonald, Jim Lyons, Bud Hanen, Dick Hanen; and his best friend Mike “Huggy” McClellan.
