David A. Dahlstrand

David "Bud" Alan Dahlstrand, age 81, of Millcreek Twp., left us on Wednesday evening, January 5, 2011, to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior. He passed away at the Village at Luther Square following a lengthy illness. He was born in Corry, PA, the seventh of fourteen children born to Henry F. and Jeannette Taylor Dahlstrand.

He graduated from Strong Vincent HS in 1947 where he was the captain of the District Champion track team, where he was proud of having the "fastest legs in Erie". He attended Thiel College, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He also studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, following his tour of duty in the US Army, serving in Germany. Following in his father's footsteps, he owned Dahlstrand Painting & Decorating. He took great pride in his work, putting his expert touch on some of the finest homes in Erie. An avid sports fan and outstanding athlete, he bowled with the Lutheran Men's Bowling League and the St. Matthew's Men's Softball Team. At St. Matthews, he was a long standing member of both the church choir and the church council. The New York Yankees would be hard pressed to find a more loyal fan. He enjoyed spending time at Presque Isle, hunting from the hunting camp he shared with his brothers-in-law in Marshburg, and vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, DE with his family and friends. He was most defined by his great sense of humor, his easy-going disposition, and his beautiful blue eyes. But spending time with the family, especially his children and grandchildren, was his favorite past-time.

David is survived by his former wife, Anne Dahlstrand-Daniel, his children: Eric Dahlstrand, Karin (Edward) Eachus, Christiane (Timothy) Figurski, Andrew Dahlstrand all of Erie, and David (Shelly) Dahlstrand of Midlothian, VA.; his sisters: Virginia Chiarizio, Joanne Dahlstrand, Patricia Campbell, Jacqueline Barber, Jeannette Lakari; his brother, Charles Dahlstrand; his grandchildren: Christopher, Jason, and Jessica (fiancé, David Yarman) Dahlstrand, Tiffany, Alexis and Justin Figurski, Kristin, Laurin, and Sydney Dahlstrand, great granddaughter, Emma Dahlstrand, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters: Dorothy Freeburg, Anna Louise Pfeffer, Betty Jane Bertram, Phyllis Sutto, Marjorie Resta, Florence Woodworth, and his brother, John Dahlstrand.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to St. Matthews Lutheran Church (West 7th and Cascade Sts.) on Monday at 11:00 a.m. for the funeral service conducted by the Rev. Karen Lundwal. Private interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Presque Isle Partnership, 301 Peninsula Dr., Erie, PA 16505 or to the Boy's and Girl's Club of Erie, 1515 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511.

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