Porter John Dahl, an angel in our lives, was embraced by God and ascended to heaven on Thursday, January 15, 2009. His passing occurred at St. Croix Falls Hospital in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Born on Monday, December 8, 2008, at the same St. Croix Falls Hospital, Porter John, son of Brandon and McKenzie Dahl, spent a brief but impactful 39 days on Earth.
In those fleeting days, Brandon and McKenzie Dahl showered their baby boy, Porter John Dahl, with immeasurable love. His dark hair and bright blue eyes were a source of joy and wonder to his parents and all who knew him. Though his time was short, the love Porter received was immense and everlasting, a testament to the profound bond he created in just over a month.
Porter John Dahl is survived by his devoted parents, Brandon and McKenzie Dahl, who cherish every memory of their son. He is also lovingly remembered by his grandparents: Dave and Marcy Basten, Mark and Eileen Irgens, and Dennis and Marilyn Dahl. His great-grandparents, Bernice Vetsch, Gene and Elaine Dahl, Galen and Mary Ann Borstad, and Leora Ludwig, along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, also mourn his loss, feeling the absence of young Porter John Dahl deeply within their family.
A Celebration of Life for Porter John Dahl was held on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Frederic, WI, his hometown. During the service, a poignant and heartfelt reading, penned and delivered by Porter’s Uncle, Brett, resonated with all in attendance. The words, a reflection of grief and love, celebrated Porter’s life and the indelible mark he left on those around him.
The poem shared at the service beautifully captured the complex emotions of loss and remembrance:
January 18, 2009
Dear Porter,
All seems gone; abstracted away
Now feeling alone, feeling astray…
Filled with frustration of wanting to know
So much complication to why you would go.Bring everything down at least for now.
Positive memories we’re left with somehow
Life as we’ve know it is now disarray
In this game we call life
No one said it was fair.
But God, why choose this family and force on this despair?I know you are somewhere near us
And pray to God you hear us.
You’ve helped us love and forget how to hate
So today your life…we celebrate…
And while all of us grieve and cry and mourn
Please know little Buddy
You are never alone…Uncle Brett
This tribute to Porter John Dahl serves as a lasting reminder of a life lived fully in love, however brief. His memory continues to inspire and unite those who were touched by his presence. The story of Porter John Dahl, though filled with sorrow, is ultimately a testament to the enduring power of love and family in the face of loss.
