Erling Lee Jordahl

Erling Lee Jordahl returned home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Mill Pond Retirement Center, Ankeny, IA. Memorial service will be 3:30 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Mill Pond Chapel, 1201 SE Mill Pond Ct., Ankeny, IA with Chaplain Rick Miller officiating.

Erling was born on February 22, 1917 to the Reverend Edward and Clara (Lee) Jordahl in the northwest upstairs bedroom of the parsonage of the First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD. He was baptized in that church by his father, and was confirmed by his father at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD. He attended school through 9th grade in Bryant, SD, and graduated from high school in Shabbona, IL in 1934. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1938. He then attended graduate school at the University of Iowa, where he met his future wife Audrey Hexom.

He then pursued a teaching career in Calendar and Farnhamville IA, interrupted by WWII. Entering the service in June 1942, he served in the Navy as a pilot until 1947. On July 12, 1949, Audrey Hexom and Erling were united in marriage by their fathers, Rev. William Hexom and Rev. Edward Jordahl at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, IA. He then reentered the teaching profession as a high school principal at Lansing, IA, and later as a superintendent at Rake and Rippey, IA. Recalled into the Navy during the Korean ‘crisis’, he served his country for an additional 2 years. He retired in 1980, having served as an educational systems consultant.

Erling is survived by his wife, Audrey, two sons, Jonathan of Daegu, South Korea and Jim Jordahl (Cathy Ockenfels-Jordahl) of Ankeny, IA, brothers, Sig and David Jordahl, grandchildren, Noah, Lilah, and Abbey Jordahl. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister, Connie (Brue), and brothers, Edward (jr.) and Bernard.