February 20, 1924 – November 14, 2025
Thomas “Tom” E. Van Dahm, 101, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Hospice Alliance Hospice House.
He was born on February 20, 1924, to the late Thomas and Sarah (Toren) Van Dahm in Chicago, IL. He was educated in Chicago and Holland, MI, where the family moved to in 1937. He graduated from Holland High School in 1941. Tom attended Hope College in Holland, MI, from 1941-1943 and 1946, and graduated cum laude with his B.A. in Economics and Business in 1948. Tom received his MA (Economics) degree in 1949 and his PhD degree in 1959, both from the University of Michigan.
Tom served in the US Army Air Corps and Signal Corps, mostly in Europe from 1941 to 1946 as a cryptographic technician.
On March 17, 1951, he married the love of his life, Lois Stanton, in Holland, MI. She preceded him in death on November 4, 2024, after 73 and a half years of marriage.
Tom started his teaching career at Kemper Military School from 1948 to 1950, then at Central (Iowa) College from 1950 to 1953, then at Augustana (IL) College from 1954 to 1955, then at Hope College from 1955 to 1960, then at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1960 to 1964. In 1964, Tom was hired by Carthage College as a Professor of Economics and Chairman of the newly-formed Division of Business and Economics, retiring in 1991. He also did consulting work for several local attorneys in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, being an elder, choir member and interim director, and a Sunday School teacher. Tom was also the founder and director of the Recorders of Merrywoode.
He was a member of the American Economic Association, American Finance Association, and the Midwest Economics Association. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kenosha, serving as secretary for several years and president. Tom enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, volunteering for RSVP, Meals on Wheels, and Heifer International, performing, arranging, and listening to music.
Tom is survived by his loving daughter Ruth (Leif) Dickinson, his grandchildren Zachary (Sarah), Lucas (Samantha), and Hannah, his great-grandchildren Athena, Caleb, Edythe, Thor, Lola, Remy, Althea, Orion, Wyatt, and Colton, and his one great-great-grandchild Eivor.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois, his sisters Doris Worthy and Eleanor Hoffman, and his brother Howard
A Celebration for Tom will be held on Monday, November 24th, at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (1803 – 83rd St.). Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorials would be appreciated to First Presbyterian Church, Shalom Center, or Carthage College.
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SERVICES
Visitation
Monday, November 24, 2025
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM First Presbyterian Church
1803 – 83rd St.
Kenosha, WI 53143Get Directions on Google Maps
Celebration
Monday, November 24, 2025
1:00 PM First Presbyterian Church
1803 – 83rd St.
Kenosha, WI 53143Get Directions on Google Maps
