Mary M'Lis Dahl

Mary “M’Lis” Eaton Dahl came into this world June 12, 1928 in Buffalo, New York singing. Her parents were Margaret “Orien” and Frank Eaton.

She moved to Bozeman in 1938 at the age of 10. The family moved to South Black directly across the street from the Dahl family. The Dahl’s had three handsome, mischievous boys and M’Lis hoped that one of them would notice her.

M’Lis thrived in Bozeman. She had five horses, played sports, danced, sang and was part of the rifle club. Her life long best friends were the dizzy dozen. They were best friends from fourth grade until their 90’s.

Her goal in life was to share her voice to give joy to others. She sang while she swept floors, did dishes, danced or prayed. M’Lis sang in choirs at Gallatin High in Bozeman. She studied voice at Holy Names College in Spokane. M’Lis led sing-a-longs and dance classes at the Elk Horn Dude Ranch where she was also a great ranch hand and baseball player.

When working in Yellowstone Park, in the fifties, M’LIs sang in the bars and made enough in tips to finance her college tuition voice instruction. Micheal Finnegan, M’Lis’s maternal grandfather in Spokane set M’Lis up with a prestigious voice coach so she could perfect her craft and dream of being a professional singer.

She married Bernard Dahl on July 6th 1950. Her husband, Bernard loved to take her to piano bars on Saturday nights. He was so proud of her.

She taught voice lessons at her home at 112 Wyoming in Billings.

In the 1950’s, M’Lis sang with Big Bands on the radio when she lived in San Francisco. She loved to sing in the church choirs. M’Lis sang for thousands of weddings and funerals, mostly at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Her special songs were “Ave Maria “and “Oh Holy Night” at midnight mass.

Dahl was a choir director at Holy Rosary Church. Singing for Billings Symphony Choir and musicals around town was a favorite activity. Dahl was a singing nun ”in the play “Sound of Music. “ Whenever she sensed her eight children were about to fight in the car, M’Lis would lead them in a rousing version of “She’ll be Coming around the Mountain.“ One of her greatest joys in life was singing around the campfire at the cabins in Red Lodge. M’Lis shared her love, the power of her voice and creativity to comfort and empower others as a bereavement counselor, spiritual advisor and a chaplain.

M’Lis has an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in Religious Studies from Gonzaga and a Masters Degree In rehab counseling also from Eastern Montana College. At age 40, M’Lis began painting with oils and watercolors. Her beautiful paintings are displayed in her family’s homes. She became a chaplain at age 70. She worked at St. Vincents and the women’s prison in Billings.

M’Lis and Bernard were lovingly cared for in their later years in their home by the devotion of her family.

M’Lis was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years John Bernard Dahl, her grandchildren Marion Stroebe, Simon Reinhart, and great grandchildren, Cash Taylor, Imogen Hutchison and son-in-law Mike Cater.

M’Lis is survived by her children Mary Cater, Teresa Stroebe (Conrad), Ann Denise Dahl, Linda Reinhart (Dale), John Dahl (Brenda) , Anita Jones ( Reese), Irene Dahl( Mark Peterson) and Deana Dahl (Dave Wendell), her brother Mike Eaton, her sister Evie Nelson and 24grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, nieces and nephew, and one great great grandchild

Her faith, family, music and art was the fabric of her life .

The family is so deeply grateful to Riverstone Hospice, especially Linda, Corey, Jessica, the MIchelle’s, Corrine, Manny, Kristy, McKenzie and the entire team.

Memorials may be made in her name to St. Vincent DePaul, Alice Kane Dahl Nursing Scholarship Foundation, or Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, 1549 E. Cameron Bridge Road, Bozeman, MT 59718