Mary Kathryn Dahm, age 93, of Early, IA, passed away at the Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, IA, on Thursday, August 13, 2015.  Mary was born on November 16, 1921, to Charles and Linnie (Horrell) Higgins, Sr. in Sac County, IA near Sac City.  She was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa and graduated from Sac City High School in 1939.  She received her associate teaching degree from Buena Vista College. 

   On June 18, 1946, Mary was united in marriage to Hilary Dahm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  This union was blessed with seven children: Richard, Patrick, Thomas, Fred, Rosemary, Robert and Julia.  They made their home near Early.

   Mary was a devoted wife and mother.  She taught school before the arrival of her children, and then waited until they were in school to return to teaching, retiring in 1984.  She taught soil conservation to all ages.  Some of her hobbies included knitting and quilting and she was an avid sports fan.  She was active in her church as a member of the Catholic Daughters, Ladies Guild, Women’s Club, and Sioux City Diocese.  She also served on the Board of Education.

   Mary had a strong faith and love of her family.  Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great joy and happiness.  She will be remembered for her kind smile positive spirit and gentle nature. 

   Survivors include her children: Richard (Terri) Dahm of Mead, WA, Patrick (Barbara) Dahm of Early, Thomas (Kathleen) Dahm of Early, Fred Dahm of Maplewood, MN, Rosemary Dahmen (David Litman) of Lakewood, CO, Robert Dahm of Minneapolis, MN, and Julia (Amadeus) Colenbrander of Terra Linda, CA Julia (Amadeus) Colenbrander of Terra Linda, CA,;  grandchildren: Allison Florence, Lindsay Dahm, Jared Dahm, Jessica Rule, Sarah Naberhaus, Heather Dahm, Kristin Dahm, Kyle Dahm, Ryan Dahm, Bobby Dahm, A J Dahm, Samy Dahm, Laura Connett, Aaron Dahm, Noah Sprenger, Isabel Dahm, Amadeus Colenbrander, and Anthony Colenbrander; great-grandchildren: Connor and Grace Naberhaus, Nicholas, Matthew, and Luke Dahm, and Indi Fischer.  Other survivors include her sisters: Frances Drey of Early, Margaret (John) DeGarmo of Storm Lake, and Edna Miller of Ankeny; her brothers: Charles (Yvonne) Higgins Jr. of Early and John Higgins of Galva; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

   Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Theresa Higgins, and grandson Paul Dahm.