Obituary of Orlo Jordan

Marciel June (Lutjen) Jordan, daughter of Clarence and Irene (Tusler) Lutjen, was born in Everly, Iowa on March 13, 1921. A year later on July 18, Orlo Herman Jordan was born to Herman and Hannah (Lohrmann) Jordan on a farm near Spencer, Iowa. Marciel graduated from Everly High School, attended Buena Vista College and taught in a one-room school near Paullina. Orlo graduated from Spencer High School and farmed in the Spencer area. When they were kids, Marciel thought Orlo was a show off, but on their first date when he said he wanted to marry her because she baked good cookies, she was smitten. On March 12, 1944 they were married in Everly. For many years they farmed near Melvin, Everly and Hartley, Iowa. In 1966 Orlo bought into Steinmetz Bros Implement, later Jordan Implement. For 30 years Marciel worked as bookkeeper for Orlo’s Massey Ferguson dealership. In Melvin Orlo joined the Commercial Club and served on the city council and as mayor. Marciel was on the Melvin library board and enjoyed MOE, a Federated Women’s Club. In 2001 they reigned as King and Queen of the Melvin Centennial. Orlo also organized the antique tractor show at the Clay County Fair, and Governor Branstad awarded him a commendation for his work on the Northwest Aging Association. Both were long-time members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, May City. In retirement Orlo restored antique tractors; his 1919 Wallis is now in a museum in England. He loved driving his 1959 Studebaker. Marciel supported Orlo’s passion for tractors and was an avid reader, embroiderer and crossword puzzle fan. For decades the two danced to Big Band music; in recent years they were always together at community and church functions, celebrations of family and friends, and at concerts, games and meets, cheering on their grandchildren as they had their children. Survivors include their children: Kay (Tom) Whitham and their children, Shea and Hilary of Flagstaff, AZ, Lon (Shirlee) Jordan and their daughters, Michelle and Megan of Hartley, IA and Jean Jordan and her sons, Jordan and Benton Frayne of Albert Lea, MN, and special family friend, Tamra Hatfield, also of Albert Lea. Orlo was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Viola Moeller, Wilma McClung and Inena Nelson and is survived by his brother, Jack. Marciel was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dale and is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Lutjen. Marciel and Orlo loved and were loved. A Celebration of Life Orlo and Marciel Jordan Orlo ~ July 18, 1922 ~ May 8, 2008 Age ~ 85 years 9 months 20 days Marciel ~ March 13, 1921 ~ May 10, 2008 Age ~ 87 years 1 month 27 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008 St. John’s Lutheran Church May City, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Paul Johnson Organist ~ Connie George Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” # 801 “Amazing Grace” #744 Recessionals ~ “When Peace Like A River” #763 Pallbearers Don Nelson Jr. Kenneth Wimmer Mike Wynja David Heitritter Allen Dau Terry DeGraaf Honorary Pallbearers Ted Fischer Marion Flint Earl Baish Byron Niewendorp Robert Nonneman Delbert Schultz Tom McDougall Ralph Whichman Flower Attendants Earl & Betty Baish Ralph & Lois Whichman Ushers Bob Rusche Russell Holst Don Rasmussen Interment Lone Tree Cemetery Everly, Iowa