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Other times, the person who's gone is
someone who lived such a remarkable life that they
left an indelible impression on almost everyone they
came in contact with.
George Dahmm was one of those people. He was the
kind of man who cared for others more than himself
and would have given all that he had to someone he
thought needed it worse.
In fact, he did give all that he had: his talents
as a builder of homes, a carpenter and a gardener.
He gave all he knew to those who needed it: the
families whose lives are changed by Habitat for
Humanity.
He also gave of himself in other arenas. As a
cancer survivor for quite some time, he was involved
in a support group for those who were fighting
cancer. He spoke of that a few years ago, saying it
was the kind of group a cancer patient needed
because the group looked at their disease honestly.
They were able to talk about the things going on
with their bodies, and he said what helped the most
was to learn that they were not alone. For George,
that was important, that no one go through a hard
time alone.
Perhaps that is what kept him for so many years
at the forefront in Habitat for Humanity. The
program is geared to help families who were
struggling to keep themselves together. For many of
them, the prospect of owning a home was the one
thing they needed to keep them plowing forward even
when times were tough.
Perhaps another thing that kept them plowing
forward was knowing they had George in their corner.
George's career as a volunteer for Habitat began
in 1992. He and his brother, Wallace, were home
builders in Lincoln and Logan County. They had
purchased some ground in the city and had planned on
building homes on it, but then their circumstances
changed. They decided to retire and donate the
ground to the newly forming Habitat group.
George spoke about this with LDN in 2009, saying
Bill Sahs was just getting Habitat off the ground in
1992. Sahs graciously accepted the donation of the
lots but also asked that George lead the next build
on that lot.
For George, the rest was history, as he stayed
with the organization and in his time helped with
the construction of 13 homes for Habitat.
In his mid-80s he decided that he was done
building, but he was a long way from being done with
Habitat. The organization had begun selling produce
in the summer months as a fundraiser to help support
their work.
Vegetable stands were first set up in parking
lots along Woodlawn Road, until the group built a
small shed on Woodlawn Road next to the Regions Bank
drive-thru.
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George spent many hours helping at the stand, but
he also worked in the gardens for Habitat. Matt
Greime, the manager at Big R in Lincoln, was fond of
gardening and planted a large garden every year,
donating much of the produce to Habitat. George
spent time, along with other Habitat volunteers,
helping in the garden.
He was always on hand at the Habitat
groundbreaking ceremonies and always there for the
house blessings as well.
George wasn't a loud man, but he stood out. Part
of it was his look, slight in build with a
remarkable white beard and twinkling eyes. But the
most important part of him was his manner. He was
kind, thoughtful, hardworking and always to the
point.
"What I will always remember about George," said
Stacy Wachtel, a fellow Habitat member, "is his
relentless dedication to Habitat for Humanity and
the thousands of hours he spent running the produce
stand and warehouse. His will be tough shoes to
fill."
In 2009, Habitat decided they wanted to recognize
George in a special way. They wanted to name an
intersection in the city of Lincoln "George Dahmm
Corner." However, George wouldn't hear of it. He had
dedicated many hours to Habitat, but what started it
all for him was that donation of the lot that
belonged to him and his brother.
Habitat agreed that both Dahmms could be
recognized, so they named the corner "Habitat Dahmm
Corner."
At that time Toni Reifsteck, who was the
president of Habitat, spoke about George, saying:
"We wanted to honor George because he is 'Mr.
Habitat.' He carries Habitat in his heart, and I
believe the only thing in the world that means more
to him is his family."
Habitat Dahmm Corner is located at North Hamilton
and Lincoln Avenue, and while it has always been a
tribute to George Dahmm and his brother, Wallace,
perhaps now it is more important than ever, because
it serves as a reminder of who we should be.
If we can give of ourselves and not ask for
anything in return -- no glory, no praise, no riches
or fame; if we can live our daily lives looking for
some small way to make someone else's life better;
then we will be living a Dahmm life, and that will
be the greatest tribute of all.
[By NILA SMITH]
Obituary:
George Dahmm
Feb. 21, 1926-April 6, 2012
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