Harland F. Dahlk

Dahlk, Harland F. VERONA - Harland Francis Dahlk, age 89, died on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. He was born at his parents home on Mineral Point Road in Middleton Township on July 18, 1918, the second oldest of five children of John and Lucinda Dahlk. He attended Middleton Junction School and graduated from Middleton High School in 1936. On June 28, 1941, Harland married Sylvia Voramwald, his high school sweetheart. They farmed together in the Town of Verona for 25 years. Later he worked as a dealer for Pioneer Seed Corn and Harvestore equipment. Harland and Sylvia were committed to community activities throughout their 58 years of marriage including their involvement as co-leaders of Gordon-Go-Getters 4-H Club. They held several leadership positions in their church and also performed in plays and stunt nights as fund raisers for Verona schools. Early on, however, Harland was drawn to local politics. He served the Town of Verona for a total of 48 years, 15 years as town clerk (1951-1976) and 23 years as town chairman, retiring in 1999. Records suggest that no other leader before or since has served the interests of the Town of Verona longer than Harland. During this period Harland also served as one of the longest-serving Dane County Board supervisors representing the 32nd District for a total of 18 years, from 1966 to 1974 and 1982 to 1992. During his first period as supervisor, he served as secretary of the Dane County Highway and Transportation Committee. During the second period, he served on the Dane County Fair Board, the Zoning Committee, the Environment and Greenspace Committee, the Committee on Aging, and he was chairman of the Agriculture/ UW-Extension Committee for five years. Throughout all his years in public office, Harland was very proud of the fact that he accepted no campaign contributions and posted no yard signs, being re-elected on his reputation alone. From his position in town government, he became involved in the Dane County Towns Association, for which he served as executive secretary/ treasurer from 1972-1991. He also represented Verona on the Wisconsin Towns Association. Throughout Harlands long political career, Sylvia worked closely with him and often served as his sounding board and secretary. Together they traveled extensively throughout the State of Wisconsin and nationally as part of Harlands political responsibilities. Harland is survived by daughter, Charlotte Johnston and husband Richard of Madison; son, Paul Dahlk and fiancee Leslie Michaels of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Heidi Ling and husband Robert of Anaheim Hills, Calif., David Johnston and wife Jessica of St. Paul, Minn., Lauren Columbo and husband Mike of Phoenix, Ariz., Annie Dahlk and Emily Dahlk of Phoenix, Ariz.; six great-grandchildren, Robert, Casey and Madeline Ling, and Ryan, Jack and Kyra Johnston; sister, Shirley Jaggi of Brodhead; and two sisters-in-law, Donna Ludeking of Middleton, and Venice Voramwald of Verona. Harland was preceded in death by his dear wife, Sylvia; his parents; his brother, Rolland Dahlk; his sister, Joyce Maurer and her husband Paul; a baby sister, Doris; and brothers-in-law, George and Frederick Voramwald. Funeral services will be held at the SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 502 Mark Drive, Verona at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, with the Rev. Dr. Mark Yurs presiding. Burial will follow in the Verona Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, and also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family would like to thank all who contributed to Harlands care and companionship in recent years, including Evelyn Reinke of Home Instead, the staff at Wynwood Assisted Living, and the caring health care professionals at St. Marys and UW Hospitals. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem United Church of Christ, Verona.