Lillian Alexandria Dahlstrom (née Ignas), 98, died on Aug. 16, 2022 in Oak Park. A member of the Greatest Generation, she was born on Feb. 22, 1924 to Walter and Josephine (Stralke) Ignas in East Chicago, Indiana, the second oldest of 10 children. She married Joseph Vincent Dahlstrom on Oct. 2, 1943, and they were blessed with seven children: six sons and a daughter. They moved numerous times and established multiple friendships throughout the Midwest. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and frequently volunteered in numerous parishes throughout her life. She was also active with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Assumption Christmas Walk (past chair), Daughters of Isabella, the Legion of Mary, the Rosary Sodality of East Chicago, Our Lady of Consolation in East Chicago, the St. Xavier High School Mothers’ Club (past president) and X-Travaganza, and the Carmelite Sisters in Illinois. She was a woman of uncommon intelligence and wit, sensitivity and resolve. In addition to being fond of music, dancing, movies, and an avid bridge player, she was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed watching her children compete and participated herself in golf, bowling, and fitness exercises. She was also an accomplished cook having started baking pies as a young girl for her family.
She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years; her son, Michael Gerard; and her daughter, Mary Margaret.
She is survived by her sons, Joseph Walter (Terrie), Daniel Oscar (Eugenie), Patrick Vincent (Rebecca), William Stephen (Mary Claire), and Robert Francis (Susan); her brothers, Leonard (Theresa) Ignas and Larry (Rosa) Ignas; her sister, Irene Urbanczyk; her grandchildren, Lara Kay Lagle, Lillian Ruth Dahlstrom, Marika (Nick) Coleman, Annie (Joseph) Glaser, Meredith (Chris) Ford, Joseph (Colleen) Dahlstrom, Patrick Dahlstrom, Samuel Dahlstrom, Maximillian Dahlstrom, and Joshua Dahlstrom; 8 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Aug. 26 from 5-8 p.m. at Neidhard Young Funeral Home, 7401 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Assumption Catholic Church, 7711 Joseph St., Mount Healthy, OH 45231, at 10 a.m. on Aug. 27.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Mary Dahlstrom Memorial Scholarship at Xavier University. Gifts can be sent to the Xavier University Office of Donor Relations, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207-5440 or made online at www.xavier.edu/giving, referencing the Mary Dahlstrom Scholarship in the gift notes.
