Augusta Jean (Montai) Dahms

Augusta Jean (Montai) Dahms, 92, died peacefully on February 16, 2024, at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw, Michigan. She was born March 26, 1931, in Watervliet, Michigan, to August and Gertrude (Heuermann) Montai.

Jean graduated from Watervliet High School in 1950. Her senior year she was voted the Football Queen and given the crown by the co-captain of the football team, her brother, Bill. Following graduation, she worked at Auto Specialties Manufacturing Company in Hartford. During that time, she met and fell in love with Bruce Dahms. They were married on June 7, 1953. They moved from Watervliet to Paw Paw and started the family farm. Together they raised six children. Jean was a wonderful mother, a great cook, and a fantastic pie baker. She loved to spend time with her family, and we were blessed to call her mom.

If raising six kids didn't keep her busy enough, Jean served as the Waverly Township Clerk for over 38 years. She held many other additional jobs for Van Buren County over the years. She was a VANCap board member, Treasurer of the Economic Development Corporation, on the Sewer board, and on the election scheduling committee. Jean also served as Executive Secretary for the Van Buren Child Abuse and Neglect Council for many years. She had several other jobs throughout her career. She also kept the books for the 800-acre family farm. Her hobbies included gardening, quilting, rug braiding, embroidering, and playing cards with her family. She and Bruce were members of the United Methodist Church of Paw Paw. Bruce and Jean were very active members of the American Agricultural Movement, participating in protests, several Mackinaw Bridge walks and attending Farm Aid Concerts. They spent many Saturday nights dancing the polka at the German American Club in Kalamazoo with many friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bruce, her sister Elsie (Fred) Backus, her brother William Henry Montai, infant brother Henry William Montai, infant sister Martha Marie Montai, and her son-in-law Paul Makay. She is survived by her children, the 6 K's:  Ken (Marge) Dahms, Karen Makay, Kathy Dahms, Karalyn (Paul) Voorhorst, Kevin (Barb) Dahms, and Karla Dahms (Tracy Adams), 5 grandchildren: Andrew (Christy Smith) Dahms, Katelin Makay, Margaret (Tim) Joseph, Benjamin (Anne) Voorhorst and Rachel (Jake) Baxter and 4 great grandchildren: Liam and Wyatt Joseph and Chloe and Samuel Voorhorst.

The family would like to thank Maple Lake Assisted Living and Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of SW Michigan) for the care she received in these later years.
Visitation will be held at the United Methodist Church, 420 W. Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday March 9, with funeral service to follow at 11 a.m.  A luncheon will follow. During a private ceremony at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Jean will be interred alongside her husband Bruce.

Memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church, Centrica Care Navigators, or a charity of the donor’s choice.