Burton Jordahl

Burton Jordahl, 82, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024 at his home in Buffalo Center. Funeral services were held on Friday, December 13, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. Burial took place at East Lutheran Cemetery near Rake. Memorials may be made to the East and West Lutheran Cemetery maintenance fund.

I was born on the family farm four miles north of Buffalo Center, Iowa, on September 24, 1942. I joined my older brother and sister (Richard and Janice) at home. I was later joined by brothers Royce and Eugene and sister Jacqueline. My parents are Frederick and Elmira (Brekke) Jordahl.

I enjoyed living on the farm with my dog Bowser and several cats. I loved to make things also, so I would borrow my dad’s saw and hammer. Needless to say, my dad always came to me when he couldn’t find them. I attended country school through the 6th grade, then I went to Rake Community School. I graduated from Rake High School in 1960. After graduation, I stayed on the farm to help my dad with farm work. My dad had lost his arm in a farm accident when I was 16, so even though I wasn’t interested in farming, I didn’t have a choice. I helped many neighbors with odd jobs, as well. After a few years, my younger brother was able to help, so I could do something else.

I decided to go to college, which was last on my list when I finished high school. It turned out to be the best choice I had ever made. The summer of 1967, I worked for Farmers Co-op Elevator and helped open the new fertilizer plant. I decided to stay out of college for the fall quarter since fall is a busy time for fertilizer and farming. The very best part of 1967 is that my brother took me along for a blind date, and I met the love of my life. The next 56 years were the best years of my life with Mary.

Mary had three years of nursing school left when we met, so she went to Minneapolis, and I left for Ames. I have to admit my telephone bill got a little spendy. Mary and I were engaged in the fall of 1967. On August 23, 1968, I graduated from Iowa State University, and Mary and I were married on August 24, 1968.

For the next two years, we lived on love. We had nothing else but student loan debt, but it was some of the most memorable years we ever had. All the money I could ever have would not replace the love we have as a family. Mary finished her nursing degree at Naeve Hospital of Nursing, and I had a job in the office at Wilson and Co. in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In 1970, we moved to Iowa, and I farmed with my brother. I farmed for 16 years and then pursued a career in construction. I guess planning and designing was my first love; God works in mysterious ways and led me to what I love to do. As a result, I started building gazebos and ended up building eight of them. The last one I built sits in my back yard. They are challenging to build because 95% of the cuts are angles and compound cuts. I could build them in my shed, so I could work on them when it rained or at night. I enjoy looking at mine in the backyard at night. I put lights in the soffit, so it shows the gazebo at night.

Mary and I have been blessed with three children: Jeffery, Michael, and Kathryn. We also have seven grandkids and five great grandkids. Nothing in this world could replace the love and joy my family gives me. God Bless them forever.

Online condolences may be made to oakcrestfuneralservices.com