Jordahl, Leigh D. -- 1925 - 2004

JORDAHL, DAHLE, VALBORG, GULLERUD, REEVE, CORTES, BURGDORF

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/28/2012 at 13:18:51

Leigh D. Jordahl, age 78, of Decorah, died Monday, May 10, 2004 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Funeral Service is on Friday, May 14, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Marion Pruitt Miller, with burial in Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.

There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to the Lois Valborg Jordahl Scholarship at Luther College in Decorah. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of the arrangements.

Leigh D. Jordahl was born July 13, 1925 at Decorah Hospital. His parents were Nels Y. and Idella (Dahle) Jordahl. Soon after birth, he was baptized at Madison Lutheran Church, together with his twin brother Neil, by their grandfather, Daniel C. Jordahl. He was confirmed in 1939 at First Lutheran Church and completed elementary and high school at Decorah public schools. In 1945, he received his B.A. degree from Luther College in classics. He continued his education at Bethany Lutheran Seminary in Mankato, Minnesota. He received his Masters of Divinity degree at Luther Seminary, his Masters degree in history at the University of Minnesota, and his Ph.D. in history at the University of Iowa.

On August 22, 1949, Leigh and Lois Valborg Gullerud were married at the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato. That same year Leigh was ordained and became pastor at Belview, Minnesota. In 1952 they moved to Northfield, Minnesota, where Leigh was associate librarian at Carleton College and then head librarian and professor of classics at Saint Olaf College. From 1964 to 1977, he was professor of church history at the Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From 1960-61 and from 1977-1985, Leigh was head librarian and professor at Luther College. He continued to teach part-time at Luther after retirement until 1999.

Leigh Jordahl died on May 10, 2004. He is survived by his two daughters, Sarah Idella Jordahl (Kenneth) Reeve of Sutherlin, Oregon; Paula Leigh Jordahl (Gerardo) Cortes of Tucson, Arizona; and four grandchildren: Christian, Anna, Jonathan and Daniel. Also surviving are his sister, Sherry Burgdorf of Edina, MN, and numerous cousins, nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois on March 30, 1993, son Rolf Olaf on November 3, 2001, mother and twin brother.

Throughout his life, Leigh Jordahl found joy in his vocation as husband, father, pastor and teacher. He had special affection for church liturgy and the classic hymns, many of which he knew by heart. He planned both his wife’s and his funeral services to include special favorites, some of which were sung at their wedding. Up to his final day, Leigh took pleasure in meeting new people and continuing long-term friendships.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah
 

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