Jon Jordahl, 78, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at his home.
A private family viewing was Friday, May 15, 2020, at the Woodley Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest with a family graveside service and burial at the Alden Cemetery. Woodley Funeral Home, LLC of Iowa Falls is caring for Jon and his family.
Jon Richard Jordahl was born March 16, 1942, to Harold and Bonnie (Holmied) Jordahl in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His mother claimed he had a “twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes.” As a Luverne, Minnesota Cardinal, Jon was an excellent student, record-breaking track star, great football player and homecoming king. Growing up, Jon was known as Dick- a nick name given to him by his mother. He changed his name from Dick to Jon when he started at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While there, he decided not to play college football and to become a math teacher.
After graduating from Mankato State, he took a teaching and coaching position in Ruthven, Iowa. He was a fan favorite among students and colleagues, including Carol Ann. She was also a teacher just down the hall at Ruthven. To the delight of their students, they married in 1966. They spent two more years in Ruthven, then moved to Spencer to teach for three more years.
After years of teaching, Jon decided to make the jump to a career in farming with his father-in-law. Jon and Carol Ann moved their family back to the Alden area in 1970. He loved life on the farm, raising crops and livestock and being a lifetime learner of technology.
Jon continued to avidly promote education. He served on the Iowa Falls school board for nine years. Additionally, he was always willing and able to work through his children’s and grandchildren’s math problems, even throughout their college years.
He spent his retirement in Iowa Falls and always had a bucket list of projects, such as installing cupboards, laying bricks for a patio, driving his Stealth, or caring for his plants. He also enjoyed traveling with Carol Ann to see new places. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Jon has a unique ability to love life and love others. He lived in the moment and was the life of the party. He greeted everyone with a smile and a joke.
Jon’s purpose in this world became abundantly clear as he fought cancer this past year. Every doctor, nurse, volunteer, radiologist, and physicist knew and loved Jon. During treatments, he befriended every person in the waiting room and made special efforts to ensure each had a smile. Although his last four weeks were challenging, Jon worked through it with a smile, funny one-line comments, and jokes. Each child and grandchild has special and fond memories with Jon that will be in their hearts forever.
It is without question that Jon Richard Jordahl is at home with his Eternal Father. We imagine Jon greeting his Savior with the confirming message of “job well done my faithful servant, now please entertain.” Jon, The King of Charm, is now at peace in heaven.
Although our hearts are forever broken, we promised Jon to carry on his legacy of loving life, loving others, and spreading happiness and kindness wherever God places us. It is with great honor and joy that we were chosen to have Jon Richard Jordahl as our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Jon is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Jordahl, of Iowa Falls, Iowa; his children, Jennifer (Todd) Bicknese of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Jody (Aaron) Larson of Ankeny, Iowa, Justin (Tiffany) Jordahl of Alden, Iowa, Joyce (Mike) Bagley of Berthoud, Colorado, and Jill (Bryan) Ball of Huxley, Iowa, grandchildren Ashley, Addy and Andrew Bicknese, Emily, Evan, Ella and Ethan Larson, Justine, Jarret, Jonathan, Josephine, Jenevieve, Jacqueline, Janine and Jason Jordahl, Carson, Anna and Drew Bagley, Alex, Brayden, Katelyn and Chloe Ball; brother Jerre Jordahl (Kathy) of Rosemount, Minnesota; sister Janine (Gary) Papik of Luverne, Minnesota; brother in-law Gary Nachazel of Prior Lake, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Grace.
Unfortunately, in these unprecedented times we are unable to honor Jon with a traditional visitation and funeral. However, true to his character, Jon was not a typical man. Now it is time to celebrate his amazing life. The family is establishing a math scholarship for the Iowa Falls Alden High School, and donations would be gladly accepted to continue to support his love of education and math.
To continue Jon’s legacy, we are asking family and friends to do what he did best: make people happy. Please buy a stranger lunch, write a friend a letter, share a joke, or anything to make someone smile in Jon’s memory.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jon Jordahl, please visit our Sympathy Store.
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