Gerald Jorde, 86 of Drayton, ND. passed away on Dec. 7th 2019 at the Lutheran Sunset Home, Grafton, ND. Jerry was born to Melville (Red) and Evelyn (Rundtom) Jorde August 26th 1933. As a youngster he and his brothers helped their dad run the family dray line. He graduated from Drayton High School in 1951. After graduation he worked at different jobs in Drayton, the railroad being one. He enlisted in the US. Army in 1954 and spent most of that time in Germany, he was honorably discharged in 1956. Jerry worked for, and retired from the North Dakota Highway Department after 33 Years. He also worked part time for the Drayton Lounge. He was a member of the Drayton American Legion post #159, and the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was a member of the Grafton Gun Club for several years. He also enjoyed gardening, especially growing tomatoes. He was an avid crossword puzzle solver. He married Sylvia (Maurstad) Green, January 28th 1967, and immediately inherited six step children. They were married almost 38 years before her death in 2005. Jerry moved to the Lutheran Sunset Home in Nov. 2018, where he received loving and professional care until his death.
Left to mourn his passing are his Step Children, Sheila (Jim) Peterson, Drayton, ND; Michael (VeAnn) Green, Kennedy, MN; Sandra Bjerke, Drayton, ND; Rodney (Emily) Green, Battle Creek, MI; Pamela (Ronald) Staskivige, Bovey, MN; and Roger Green, Grand Forks, ND. Grandchildren, Todd (Beth) Peterson, Brent (Stephanie) Peterson, Michelle (Barry) Woinarowicz, Stacy (Marc) Langen, Nathan (Amber) Green, Shawn Bjerke, Amber Bjerke, Jessie Smith, Julie Green, Tara Reiser, Tanya (Tony) Donahue, Ronald (Brooke) Staskivige, Jacob (Emily) Green, Micah (Ronald) Kaiser. Twenty four great grand children, and three great, great grandchildren, sister-in-law Iris Maurstad, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, as well as several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sylvia, brothers Duane, Keith, Russell, and Karl, grandson Shane Bjerke. Brothers -in- law, Earl Maurstad and Clair Maurstad. Son-in-law Kenneth Bjerke and grandson-in-law Clifford Smith.
Memorial services will be held at the United Methodist Church Drayton, ND. Friday. Dec. 13th 2019 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Drayton City Cemetery Refurbish fund.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Drayton, North Dakota www.austinfuneralchapel.com