Jordyce Arlene Esperum

Jordyce was born on the family farm in Brinsmade, North Dakota on February 2, 1935 to Gordon and Ruth Solberg. She passed away peacefully on March 20, 2022 with family by her side.

Jordyce grew up in Minnewaukan, North Dakota where she enjoyed small town life and a wonderful childhood on the farm. She graduated from high school in June 1953 and married Mayo Nelson in July 1953. They soon moved to Colorado where Mayo was stationed in the Army. A year later, Jordyce boarded the SS America ship in New York City headed to Germany where Mayo was stationed at Schwaebisch Hall Army Base. She enjoyed the time in Germany very much and had lots of stories about living there. After the Army, they moved back to North Dakota where Steve and Kristi were born. In 1960, they decided to move to Oregon where Jordyce’s Mother and sister lived. Kim and Sonja were born in Oregon. Jordyce and Mayo later divorced, but remained lifelong friends. Jordyce married Gordon Esperum in April 1981 and remained married until Gordon’s passing in 1995. Jordyce loved her family most of all and was a very generous and kind person. She readily smiled and laughed.

Jordyce worked various jobs over the years and enjoyed each one. She worked as a waitress at the Showboat Restaurant and Elmer’s in Beaverton for many years. In her later years, she was the apartment manager for Canyon Creek Apartments where she formed lasting friendships and throughly enjoyed her job.

She loved to travel whether it was via airplane or a trip to the beach. Anything adventurous and fun! When we were kids, she arranged an annual week long trip to Cannon Beach every summer. Throughout the year she took us kids on numerous day trips to Seaside, Cannon Beach, Ft. Stevens and Cape Lookout. We camped a lot at Cape Lookout and Detroit Lake. As we grew up, closer to home on warm days, us kids and the neighbor kids piled into the car for day trips to Jones Creek, Gales Creek and the beach. She was fun! She loved being outside and it almost always involved water when were were kids.

Jordyce was a devout Christian. It was a comfort in her life knowing when she passed, she would be with the Lord.

She will be sorely missed and we will love her forever.

Jordyce is survived by her son, Steve Nelson, daughters Kristi Davis, Kim (Steve) Barnett, and Sonja Kang, former husband Mayo Nelson, Grandchildren: Tara (Jeremy) Carlisle, Stephen (Diane) Barnett, Chris (Marilyn) Barnett, Corey Kang, Brandon Kang and Lyndsay (Logan) Headings Kang, Great Grandchildren: Jacob, Evan, Kailee, Stephen, Calvin, Emily, Jace and Kye. She is also survived by brother Gary Solberg and sister Judie (John) Langue, nephews Royce Solberg, Andrew (Annie) Solberg and niece Kristin (Josh) Solberg.

Jordyce is predeceased by her husband Gordon Esperum, and parents Gordon and Ruth Solberg.