Milton Frank Dahlke

Milton Frank Dahlke, 93, of Huntsville, Texas, born June 13, 1929 in Sandusky, Ohio to Frank and Edna Luedtke Dahlke, went to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 12, 2022. As patriarch of the Dahlke family, he kept in close touch with his siblings and their children during his lifetime. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church since 1996. Milton was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Ohio, where he also graduated from Sandusky High School in 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was first stationed at Ft. Dix, New Jersey in 1947 and attended engineering school in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and jump school in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He served with the 11th Airborne Division in Sapporo, Japan and Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He garnered 19 jumps in his three years of military service and was honorably discharged in 1950. He attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio and, later, the University of Houston. At a USO dance, Milton met the love of his life, Mae Evelyn Page, and they were married in her hometown of Russellville, Kentucky on July 23, 1950. Sandusky was briefly their home before moving to Elyria, Ohio, where he worked full-time at Electro Alloys and part-time as a draftsman for Bob Edwards Architecture. He developed a life-long passion of designing homes and special projects. He designed and built their first home in 1954, and it was the only home in their neighborhood to have a built-in dishwasher. Three children were born to their union in Elyria, Ohio. The family moved to Pasadena, Texas in 1960 where he was employed by A. O. Smith as a draftsman and mechanical engineer, retiring from AK Steele (Armco) in 1984. He then worked for Baker Hughes until permanently retiring in 1996. He designed his retirement home in Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas and moved there in 1996. Not only did Milty play two or three rounds of golf each week at Elkins Lake Golf Course, he played cards with close friends weekly, birdwatched, sang in the choir at Faith Lutheran Church, the Huntsville Men's Choir, and also the Houston Lutheran Chorale for a number of years. He was a supporter of the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas in Huntsville. He enjoyed traveling and attended 11th Airborne Division reunions throughout the country over the years. At Mount Fuji in Japan, Milt developed his love of skiing and was able to share that with his children and many friends, mostly in Colorado ski areas. He enjoyed calligraphy and created a border of scripture that adorned the walls of a room at Faith Lutheran Church. Painting was another one of his hobbies. His oil paintings are enjoyed by his family and will be for future generations. He could also repair or fix anything whether it be mechanical, wood, or metal. He was an inventor and generated patents for his employers over the years. Being of German descent, Oktoberfest celebrations were high on his list in organizing, hosting, and attending at every opportunity. Dah created signs, backdrops, and yard décor for any holiday or occasion. In addition to designing two of his own homes, Milton also designed homes for a sister, son, a daughter, and eldest grandson. At the age of 90, he hand drew his grandson's 5,000 total sq. ft. home. The contractors and subcontractors marveled at the detail and quality of the drawings. Dah conducted three site visits, climbed stairs to the second story for inspection, and visited the completed home a couple of times. Milt loved living and lived life well. His favorite scripture was John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." His greatest desire was for his family to be reunited together in Heaven. In addition to his parents, Milton is preceded in death by daughter, Deborah Dahlke Koudelik; granddaughter, Paige Koudelik Jones; sister, Doloris Dahlke Lastrapes; and brothers, Howard Dahlke, and Frank (Chauncey) Dahlke. Milton is survived by his beloved wife of almost 72 years, Mae Evelyn Dahlke; son, Jeffrey Page (Sandra) Dahlke; daughter, Jennifer Dahlke (Burton) Moore; grandchildren, Derek (Kelly) Dahlke, Devon (Michael) Taubin, Dasche (Tracee) Dahlke, Lucas (Carrie) Moore, Josh Moore, Lindsey (Nathan) Liles, Bryan (Lisa) Hoffpauir, and Lisa (John) Waldrop; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Dahlke Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of life service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Huntsville, Texas on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 4 pm, with visitation between 3 and 4 pm. An interment service will be held this fall at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the music program of Faith Lutheran Church, 111 Sumac Rd., Huntsville, TX 77340; Shepherd's Canyon Retreat (a respite and counseling center for pastors and laypersons who are in need), P. O. Box 51510, Phoenix, AZ 85076; or H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Every American Remember Through Serving) Veterans Museum of Texas, 463 State Highway 75 N, Huntsville, TX 77320. Condolences may be made at www.shfmh.com.

Milton Frank Dahlke

June 13, 1929 - July 12, 2022