June Lomnes Dahl, age 95, died peacefully on June 19, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was born on June 29, 1930 to Philip and Mildred (Schmidt) Lomnes in Hudson, Wisconsin. Though born and raised in a very small community without wealth or easy access to resources, she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Macalaster College, a Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Iowa State University, and world-wide recognition for her tireless efforts to improve the relief of cancer pain.

In 1958, June married Larry Dahl, a fellow Iowa State University chemistry Ph.D. recipient. They moved to Madison, where Larry became a professor of chemistry and June began raising their three sons – Lawrence, Chris, and Eric.

After working in a variety of positions, June was hired as a post-doc in pharmacology. Later she was hired as an assistant professor, was appointed by the Governor to the Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board in 1977, and two years after this became the first woman to attain tenure in the Department of Pharmacology.

Concerned with undertreated cancer pain, June co-founded the Wisconsin Cancer-Pain Initiative in 1986, which was recognized as a model program by the World Health Organization. Based on their work, June became pivotal in elevating health care standards for pain care, developing a nation-wide network of state-based pain initiative programs, and creating educational programs on effective care for pain.

Tireless, June did not retire from the University until 2014, though for several years she continued to go into her campus office almost daily.

June loved gardening, mystery novels, and her family above all. She is survived by her sons Lawrence and Eric, her grandson Sammy, and a multitude of friends and admirers. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry in 2021, and her youngest son Chris in 1996. We thank the staff of Renaissance Senior Living of Hilldale and her caregivers from Brightstar in Madison who brought her comfort and care in her final months.

On July 11 there will be a celebration of June’s life at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI. Doors will open at 1, and a sharing celebration will begin at 2. Everyone who knew her is welcome to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders or a charity of your choosing.

Please share a memory of June below.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd    Madison

608-238-3434