Phyllis Jorde's Obituary
Phyllis H. Jorde, 83, died Tuesday February 9, 2010, in hospice care, after a series of illnesses and an acute gall bladder attack at Heritage Hall of Leesburg, VA. A life-long resident of Grand Forks, ND, she was staying in Virginia on an “extended visit” with her daughter, Karen Jorde, of Leesburg.
Phyllis Jenette Humphrey was born July 28, 1926 in Grand Forks, ND to Roy R. and Faye (Rusche) Humphrey. She grew up in Grand Forks, attended Wilder Elementary School and graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1944. Immediately following graduation, Phyllis went to North Dakota’s Mayville State Teachers College enrolling in the special teacher certification program designed to overcome the shortage of rural elementary school teachers caused by WWII. Beginning in the fall of 1944, she taught grades 1-8 for four years in several Grand Forks County one-room schoolhouses returning to Mayville each summer term for recertification courses.
While teaching at Blooming Township School 23, near Mekinock, ND she met Oren K. Jorde. After Oren completed his service in WWII, they married on June 25, 1950 in Grand Forks, ND. They moved to Minneapolis, MN and lived there for a year while Oren attended Dunwoody Technical Institute. They returned to Grand Forks where Phyllis worked in the business offices and bookkeeping departments of several retail stores and the Red River National Bank (now US Bank) in Grand Forks. After nearly 30 years of employment in banking services, Phyllis retired in the late 1980’s.
Following her retirement, Phyllis continued to be active in the community and with friends. As member of Bethel Lutheran Church, she worked with the Women’s Missionary Fellowship and served as a Deaconess. She also participated in Bethel Lutheran’s Prime Timer’s group and attended Women’s Christian Fellowship meetings.
Phyllis’ life-long passion was reading, but she also enjoyed embroidering, providing childcare for friends, caring for the family pets and taking walks with friends. She and Oren traveled frequently to Leesburg to visit their daughter and enjoyed visiting the many historical sites, battlefields and monuments in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
Her husband Oren, parents and an infant sister, Jacquelyn, preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter, Karen Jorde, Leesburg, VA; and her sister Maxine (Paul) Millette of Pine City, MN; a brother-in law and sisters-in law as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service will be held, to celebrate Phyllis life, on Monday, February 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, with the Rev. Dr. David V. Silvernail, Jr. officiating.
Services and interment will also be held at a later date in Grand Forks, ND.
What’s your fondest memory of Phyllis ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Phyllis ?
Share a story where Phyllis 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Phyllis you’ll never forget.
How did Phyllis make you smile?