James Dahm

James Peter Dahm was born September 29, 1935, to Jacob and Effie (Stursma) Dahm, in Peoria, Iowa.

Jim attended Peoria Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Christian High School. He went on to attend Central College, graduating in 1957, and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1966.

On July 29, 1958, he was united in marriage to Marlene Holleman, in Springfield, South Dakota. They were blessed with three children: Jeffrey, Jane and Sara.  In July of 2018 they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Jim was a physical therapist from 1958 to 1962. He began his dental career working for the U.S. Public Health Services as a prison dentist in the Marion Penitentiary from 1966 to 1968.  He then started Dahm Dental in Pella where he worked from 1968 to August 31, 2016, when he retired.

Jim was a long-time member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church where he faithfully served in different roles.  He was also a member of the Gideons, Luke Society and of the Pella Kiwanis for 50 years.  He enjoyed making poffertjes in his Dutch costume at Tulip Time and volunteering at the wind mill providing tours for guests. He also enjoyed serving as a volunteer for New Life Prison Ministries.  

Jim was very active and always on the go. He enjoyed attending his grandkids’ activities, and boating and water-skiing on the lake with his family. He was often uptown drinking coffee with friends, taking a jog around Central College track, or golfing with his buddies. He also ran several half marathons. Jim had many interests and hobbies. He loved to sing gospel, barbershop and choir music. If he wasn’t singing, he was whistling. He enjoyed gardening and sharing the produce with friends and family. Jim did a lot of traveling . . . always looking forward to and planning his next adventure. He was a helper. He always loved helping with family projects, especially painting. Jim was passionate about his family’s genealogy and wrote several history books.  

Those left to cherish his memory are his family:

Jeffrey Dahm

            Jacob Dahm

            Nicholas and Kiersten Dahm

            Samuel Dahm

            Maria Dahm

Jane and Timothy Rozendaal

            Justin and Miranda Rozendaal

                        Expecting first great grandchild

            Kendra Rozendaal

Sara and Chuck De Groat

            Emma De Groat

            Maggie De Groat

Jim is also survived by his sisters: Dorothy Van Kooten of Pella and Estella Vis of Edgerton, Minnesota.  

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Marlene (April 26, 2019), his parents Jacob and Effie Dahm, his parents-in-law Bud and Albina Holleman, and his grandchildren: Isaiah and Jasmine Dahm.

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