Dorothy Dahm

Dorothy M. Dahm

March 7, 1932 – Oct 7, 2026

Dorothy was born in Salina, Kansas on March 7, 1932 to Francis & Florence Stout. She was the oldest of four children, sisters Jessie and Marian were next with brother Clifford born 12 years later. Dorothy means "Gift of God," or so the dictionary says.Growing up during the Depression meant moving many times during her younger years as Francis had to find work where he could. Between Delta, Colorado and Salina, Kansas, they would travel and many places in between. Also, life was sometimes poor and humble, but rich in having one another. Francis worked as a mechanic, in the mines, a ranch manager and whatever came up; plus, he enjoyed hunting and fishing to feed his family. Florence was an expert seamstress; she made all of the girls’ clothes out of printed chicken feed sacks and the children’s coats were made out of adult coats. Florence also canned fruit and meat in the summer to eat during the winter months. All the girls had daily chores besides school. Everyone had to pull their weight, this instilled a solid work ethic in Dorothy.Dorothy was an avid reader from a young age. This helped her achieve good grades all through school, even though sometimes she couldn’t attend due to their location or snow. You could say she was self-taught in many ways.The reading carried over as she has a cataloged library (so to speak, at her house). Dorothy survived three broken arms during her preteen years. But that didn’t slow her down; during high school Dorothy got her first real job at the candy counter at Kresse’s for a wage of 25 cents an hour. When Florence became ill, Dorothy would stay home from school to help out with her siblings while maintaining good grades and working to support the family.Dorothy’s last move would be to Brawley. Francis and Florence decided to move to Imperial Valley for health reasons. An opening at Holly Sugar spurred the move, and the whole family moved to California except Dorothy. The job she had at the welfare dept at the time paid well and the extra money was needed to help the family out. She had the opportunity to attend college but gave it up in an unselfish deed because family always came first. Dorothy arrived in Brawley in November 1951 from Delta, Colorado when her sister Jessie needed eye surgery.Dorothy got a job in the X-ray department as a secretary to Dr. Thompson. One day Eugene Dahm came to the hospital for X-rays and his doctor – Dr. Holleren introduced them and they were married November 18, 1952.After living in an apartment for a time, Gene and Dorothy were able to get a loan and build a home on Forrester Rd. in Brawley, where they resided and where she passed on October 7, 2026.Gene and his brother Larry formed Dahm Bros. and Dorothy was the bookkeeper until Larry retired in 1976. She continued to do the books for both Gene and Steve. After Gene’s stroke in 1980, they began leaving the summer heat to enjoy life, and she retired from her nonpaying job.That didn’t mean she wasn’t busy. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi sorority and held all the offices there over the years. She was also in the Brawley Women’s Club, holding all the offices, including past president. It was there she learned to play bridge and was an avid player. Dorothy worked tirelessly on many committees, especially reviewing the ballots to provide information to the membership. When California Women of Agriculture started in 1976, Dorothy helped open the local chapter and was the Northend Director for many years. Dorothy was also very active in the Pioneer’s Museum, especially on the Display Committee. Among other things, she worked at the fair when each farm center had booths that competed and Spruce / Westmorland won a lot. Also, she was a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary, Stockmen’s Club, and served on the election board for many years.To those of you who knew Dorothy well, you probably got one of her thank you notes. No matter the occasion, event or act you were sure to see a note within days. She will be remembered for her cookies, coffee cake, mac and cheese and beautiful cross stitch.Throughout their lifetime Gene and Dorothy traveled all over the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Caribbean Islands.Dorothy was always supportive of whatever activities Gene and Steve were involved in. She gave time, love and care to family and friends, she always supported and participated to the best of her ability. She was always giving, never asking for anything in return.Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Eugene, her parents Francis and Florence Stout, sisters Jessie Zack and Marian Johnson, brother Clifford and Jordan Smith.She is survived by son Steve and his wife Margaret, grandchildren Mark (Natasha) Peri, Rachel (Jay), Nora (Caty), and five great grandchildren Joshua, Presley, Wyatt, Beau and Ford. Nieces and nephews: Dennis (Barbara) Dahm, Doug (Hilaria) Dahm, Carolyn (Jim) Williams, Marjorie (Wally) Leimgruber, Tom Dahm, Laura (Mike) Fox, Julie (Rick) Taylor, Marylynn (Steve) Preece, Jon (Kenneth) Land, Clyde Morris, Leslie (Debbie) Underwood and other extended family.The family would also like to thank and recognize the caregivers in Dorothy’s life, especially Vicki and Ana who were there from the beginning. And her physical therapist Cristi Heredia.In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pioneers Museum or Sacred Heart Church.Services will be held at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley at 10:00 AM November 5, 2026 followed by a luncheon at Stockmen’s Club.