Dagny Elanor Ordahl Vaswig

Dagny was born in Holt, Minnesota on January 25th, 1921 to Rev. and Mrs. M. B. Ordahl. She went to her Heavenly Father on May 7, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Vaswig, daughter Pauline, and son Donald. She is survived by daughter-in-law Diane Vaswig, grandchildren Kristian and Whitney, sisters Florence Nace March and Evangeline Billingsley, and several nieces and nephews. Dagny worked for the Weyerhaeuser Company as executive secretary, and as administrator of Safeco Insurance Company She was active in the Daughters of Norway, the Scandinavian Cultural Center, Mu Phi Epsilon Music Sorority, and Emmanuel and Central Lutheran Churches. Like father, like daughter, she was an avid photographer. Through her photos she created lasting memories for family, friends, and community organizations. Dagny was a major soloist in the Tacoma/Seattle area, performing both Classical and Musical Theater repertoire. In 1953, having won in a regional competition, she was invited as a winner to perform on the Kate Smith Show in New York City. The show was televised nationally, and her career as an accomplished soloist soon blossomed. Whether singing classical literature with local symphonies, or on stage with Tacoma Little Theater, she found her way into the hearts of her audience. Dagny would often say "They must understand the words". Incredible diction and shimmering high notes became her hallmark as a performer in all styles. Dagny and sisters Florence and Evangeline founded the Nordic Trio in the 80's, spreading their Norwegian heritage through stories, costume, and song (many in Norwegian) throughout this area and in the Mid-West. All of her sisters sang together (The Seven Ordahl Sisters), but for Dagny it was a passion, a way of living her faith, a gift that she wanted to share from the stage, in church, or at family gatherings. We will miss her! In her memory, please make memorial checks to Red Willow Lake Bible Camp (which was founded by Dagny's father) or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Memorial services will be 2pm Monday, May 14th, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1315 N. Stevens St., Tacoma. Graveside services will be 4:30pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood.

Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.