John Jourdan

John Henry Jourdan, age 89 of Stillwater, MN, passed away on August 28, 2024 in his home surrounded by family.

John was born in Northome, MN on May 30, 1935. He attended Mizpah Elementary and Northome High School before attending the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor's and then Master's Degree.

It wasn't until he was 14 that rural electrification brought power to the family farm, initially adding one light bulb in each room. Even in his later years he mentioned how having light transformed his life. It was a small house for six kids, lacking insulation and plumbing, but the family was close and John later chronicled many adventures shared with his siblings growing up in the remote northern part of Minnesota, including trapping fur, harvesting pulpwood, and farming with a team of horses.

John was employed for 30 years by St. Paul Schools, but his real passion was working his acreage south of Stillwater, where he maintained over 100 apple, cherry, plum, and pear trees, as well as an extensive blueberry, raspberry, and red currant patch plus a vegetable garden. For many years he was a trusted vendor at the St. Paul Farmer's Market. He kept bees and extracted the honey, and when his kids were in 4H and FFA he raised goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, pheasants, and cattle.

He was a lifelong learner, and especially in winter could be found reading books or taking online courses. In his 60s he started and then mastered the Norwegian language.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Mabel Jourdan, and siblings, Otto, Gene, and Jodi.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Judy of Stillwater, MN; sons, Tim (Michelle) of Bloomington, David (Carolyn) of Chicago, Peter (Jocelyn) of Chaska, and Mark of Lakeland, MN, as well as grandchildren Ben, Cole, Zara, Raleigh, and Alfie

He is also survived by siblings Paul Jourdan of Mizpah and Alma (Arling) Logdahl of Yankton, South Dakota, and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral Service on Monday, Sept. 2 visitation starts at 10:00, service at 11:00 followed by a luncheon, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bayport, MN.