IN MEMORIAM: Christel Burdt Dahl, 96;
Immigrant Helped Parents Farm Locally
FLY CREEK – Christel Burdt Dahl, 96, who immigrated from Danzig, Germany, in 1924, and helped her family develop a dairy farm in the Fly Creek Valley, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2019.
Christel, the daughter of Richard and Franziska Burdt, was born on July 18, 1922, in the Free City of Danzi. She immigrated to the U.S. with her mother, who was joining her husband, who had previously immigrated.
Growing up on Long Island, she worked on her parents poultry farm. Prior to moving to the Fly Creek Valley with her parents in 1942, she worked as a riveter in an airplane manufacturing plant. In Fly Creek Valley, she helped her parents build a house and dairy farm that they had bought “sight unseen.”
She married Neil E. Dahl Jr. upon his return from serving in Europe during World War II. They celebrated 61 years of marriage prior to Neil’s death in 2007.
Christel was a talented seamstress, who could sew any and everything. As a crafter, she decorated pumpkins, made necklaces from dried potatoes, dolls, doll clothes, stuffed animals etc, etc, She wallpapered, painted, plastered and gardened beautiful flower beds.
While retired, Christel and Neil spent winters in Arizona and traveled to Germany and Sweden to reconnect with relatives.
She is survived by her children, Sheryn McLoughlin (Jim), Neil Dahl III (Sondra), Gerald Dahl (Sharon), Richard Dahl, Nelson Dahl (Kristina), her brother Reinhart Burdt (Josie), five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Neil E. Dahl Jr. and her brother Herbert Burdt.
Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Cherry Valley NY on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 11 AM.Visitation will be from 10 until service time at 11 at the church. Interment will be Cherry Valley Cemetery, at a date to be determined.
Contributions can be made to Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY or the Springfield Fire Department.
To send online condolences visit www.ottmanfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, NY.