David Jordahl

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 3, 2009

David O. Jordahl, 77
David Oscar Jordahl, 77, of Austin, died on March 1, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born July 16, 1931 to Oscar and Hildegarde (Moe) Jordahl in Rugby, N.D. When David was eight years old, the family moved to Nome, N.D. During those years scouting, basketball and football were his interests along with music. He took violin lessons at the college in Valley City. Just prior to his senior year in high school, the family moved to Finley, N.D. In the fall of 1949, David entered Concordia College where opportunities in music were more available for him. He became a violinist in the Fargo/Moorhead Symphony and a bassoonist in the college band. After graduation in the spring of 1953, he joined the US Army for service during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned for overseas duty first in Dachau, Germany and later in Nuremberg, German. He was discharged from the Army and returned to Finley, where he married Eloise Halvorson, his high school and college sweetheart on Sept. 11, 1955. That fall David entered graduate school at Northwestern University where he gained his MM in Public School Music. His first teaching experience was in Aurora, Minn., where he began an orchestra program. During those years, four children were born to David and Eloise: Rolf (died in infancy), Tim, Mark and Brian. In 1960 the family moved to West St. Paul, where David again started an orchestra program. The family enjoyed camping and traveling. In 1973 the family moved to Austin, where David became the high school orchestra director. For two years he served as vice president of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and was in charge of All State Orchestra. In 1982 after 25 years in public school work, David left teaching to become a registered representative with New York Life Insurance Company. A member of Rotary Club and the Foundation Board at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, David spent six years (1982-88) directing the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Eloise passed away on July 20, 2006. David married Lois Paulson, a longtime friend, on June 25, 2008 in Minneapolis.
Survivors include his wife, Lois, Austin; three sons, Tim (Maryl) Jordahl, Maple Grove, Mark (Laurie) Jordahl, Edina, Brian (Diane) Jordahl, Woodbury; seven grandchildren; sisters, Katherine (Quinton) Larson, New Brighton; Norma (the Reverend Elmo) Anderson, Fargo, N.D.; brothers, the Reverend Paul (Jenine) Jordahl, Decorah, Iowa; Daniel (Penny) Jordahl, Billings, Mont.; three step-children, Sarah (Ken) Nygren, Lakeville, Dan (Linda Hesketh) Paulson, Eugene, Ore., Tom (Lou Vlahos) Paulson, Wayzata; five step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a son.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Visitation is from 5 – 8 p.m., Wednesday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to St. Olaf Lutheran Church Music Ministry Building Fund.

Email newsletter signup