Daniel Johann Jordahl passed away Dec. 17, 2017. Born 10/24/1927 to Dr. Verner Trygve Jordahl ‘22 and Norma Reseda Johnson Jordahl in Dallas and baptized at Central Lutheran Church in Dallas.
He spent most of early childhood on the banks of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was confirmed at his father’s church, Our Savior’s Lutheran. During his youth, he worked summers on Iron Ore boats on the Great Lakes and on fishing boats in Alaska.
Graduating from Decorah High School in 1945, he immediately, at the age of 17, enlisted in the U.S. Navy Amphibian Forces to serve in the Far East in World War II.
On his discharge from service, Aug., 1946, he entered Luther College, and graduated May 29, 1950. He received a master of science degree in public health from the University of North Carolina, then worked as a researcher and parasitologist at Parke Davis in Detroit.
His involvement in church activities led to a call to Luther Theological Seminary. While in seminary he met Margrete Cecilia Haaland, and they were married Aug. 27, 1955.
Daniel received his bachelor of theology degree from Luther Seminary, May 20, 1956, and was ordained May 27, 1956, at Trinity Church in Mason City, Iowa, by his father, Dr. VT Jordahl ‘22, then president of South Central District of the ELC.
He served the parishes of Immanuel and North Prairie Lutheran in Scarville, Iowa, followed by 34 years at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minn., growing it into one of the largest most vibrant churches of Southwest Minnesota.
He retired (widowed) to Sun City, Ariz., where he met and later married Joan Stensrud on Sept. 24, 1994. Daniel and Joan have been faithful members of American Lutheran Church for the past 23 years.
Daniel is preceded in death by his first wife Margrete, his youngest daughter Ingrid Kari Dornberg, his brother Rodger Jordahl ’47, and his sister Norma Jean (Jordahl) Townswick ‘52. He is survived by his wife Joan, his brother Vernon Truman Jordahl ‘54, his daughters Naomi Yvonne Thomsen, Johanna Jordahl Jones, and his son Johann Eric Jordahl. Grandchildren include Matthew, Daniel, and Mark J. Thomsen, Richard and Christopher Jones, Isaac and Claire Jordahl, and Amy Dornberg. He has two great-grandchildren: Colin and Autumn Thomsen.
A memorial service was held on Jan. 5, 2018, at American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Ariz. Memorials can be given to the Moving Forward in Faith Capital Campaign at American Lutheran Church or to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.