Roger Allen Jordahl was born October 26, 1935, in rural Dawson, the son of Grant and Alice (Erickson) Jordahl. He was baptized at Riverside Lutheran Church in Dawson and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd.
Roger attended District 68 elementary school and graduated in the class of 1953 from Boyd High School. Following graduation, he worked for Electric Power Line Company in Colorado before joining the armed services and serving 2 years in the army.
Roger started farming with his Dad and also worked on road construction. He began working at the soybean plant, which is now AGP, in 1967, and continued until his retirement in October, 1997, after 30 years. He was to continue his love of farming with his son, Mark, when he was so suddenly taken from us on Friday, February 13, 1998, at the age of 62.
On August 20, 1966, he was united in marriage to Deanna Hanson at Garfield Lutheran Church, rural Madison. To this union, 3 children were born.
Roger and Deanna enjoyed traveling and attending all their children's activities. In April of 1997, their grandson, Easton Popma, was born, giving them much joy.
He was a member of Garfield Lutheran Church and recently was elected a trustee.
Roger died on Friday, February 13, 1998, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN, at the age of 62 years, 2 months, and 17 days.
Roger is survived by his wife, Deanna, and children, Jeri (Terry) Popma of Dawson, Mark of rural Canby, and Janell Jordahl of Sioux Falls, SD, and her special friend Bryan Janiszeski of Madison, MN; grandson, Easton Popma; brother, Dennis (Susan) Jordahl of Willmar; sister, Carol Barrett of Ortonville; nephews, Rick (Sandy) Barrett and son, Tyler of Nassau and Mike Barrett and fiancee Tammy Nichols of Brooklyn Park, MN; and mother-in-law, Thelma Hanson of rural Madison.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother-in-law, Robert Barrett; and father-in-law, LeRoy Hanson.
Funeral services were at 10:30 am, Monday, February 16, 1998, at the Garfield Lutheran Church in rural Madison with Pastor Eric Finsand officiating. The scrriptures were Psam 23, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Revelation 21:1-4, and John 11:17-27. Vocal soloist, Jon Wager sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "Thy Will Be Done" accompanied on the piano by Mary Wager. The congregational hymns of "Lift High the Cross, "How Great Thou Art", and "Beautiful Savior" were all accompanied by the organist, Phyllis Haugen. The honorary casketbearers were all of Roger's fellow workers at AGP and the active casketbearers were Roger Hanson, Lynn Hanson, Lyle Hanson, Gary Gritmacker, Dale Thompson, Fred Eckhardt, Don Hutt, and Donn Mork. Burial was in the Garfield Lutheran Church cemetery.
He will always be remembered for his kindness and unselfish love, his genuine love for others, and his wonderful sense of humor.