Bruce Alan Dahms, 68, of Dixon, passed away Oct. 24, 2023, in Dixon at his home. Per his request, cremation rites will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held at the Dixon American Legion in Dixon on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, from 2 p.m. till 4 p.m.
The first drink is on Bruce. The rest is your own. No food, just cocktails. Memorials may be made to whomever you wish.
Bruce was born June 4, 1955, to Bob L. and Erma I. (Esbaum) Dahms in Davenport. Life on the farm meant there was always work to do. Scooping manure, hauling said manure, grinding feed, to make more manure, baling hay and straw, shelling corn, pouring cement, pulling corn out of beans, cutting weeds around the farm, filling silo, picking corn and beans, hauling hot water to frozen waters, plowing snow, and a thousand other odd jobs that came along. These were not always the good ole days.
There was town ball, 4-H, and FFA, where Bruce was president in 72-73. He attended Bennett Community School and graduated in 1973. He immediately entered the Reisch College of Auctioneering. He started crying auctions and in 1976, started selling at Rock Island Livestock Auction, then at the Monmouth, Ill., sale barn and finally at the Wapello sale barn.
After getting beat up by a bull, he decided a change could be good, and started a second career with Farm Bureau Insurance that lasted 22 years. He was president of the National Assn. of Life Underwriters of Davenport. Going for his third career change, he went to work for Midwest Publishing and Marketing, where he worked until his untimely death. He was treasurer of the Dixon Fire Dept. and a member for over 25 years. He was also president of the Dixon Memorial Park, as many remember him announcing the fireworks display on the 4th of July. He was also Exalted Ruler of the Davenport B.P.O. Elks.
Bruce met and soon married Kim Elizabeth Evans on May 16, 1992. They were happy with their dog, Buddy for 27 years. They enjoyed golfing, though he was not a good shooter. She passed away from complications of a stroke and pancreatitis on Dec. 17, 2019.
He was preceded in death by his wife; father, Bob; mother, Erma; and a brother, Kevin. He is survived by sisters, Connie Pewe and Sandra Havel; his one and only nephew, Tony Dahms; five nieces, Trish Sedam, Tracey O’Brien, Rachel Nelson, Kristina Scroggins, and Sarah Perkins; along with his cat, Goldie.
He has seen way too many friends pass before him. Live every day like it’s your last, because it might be!
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