ROCHELLE — Ernest Jordal Jr., 82, of Rochelle, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at Rochelle Gardens in Rochelle. He was born on Jan. 22, 1927 in Malta, to Ernest and Marguerite (Preiss) Jordal.

He graduated from Malta High School in 1945. Ernest married his high school sweetheart, Elda Mae Arndt on July 11, 1948, and they were married 61 years. He farmed most of his life, but also worked for Gulf Oil in DeKalb and a fertilizer company in Creston. He enjoyed fishing and being with his family.

He and his wife did a lot of walking, biking, bird-watching, traveling and church activities. Ernest was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Rochelle and DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

He was preceded by his parents and an infant sister, Betty.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Rochelle Gardens Care Center for their loving care.

Survivors include his wife, Elda Mae, of Rochelle; son, E. David (Debra) Jordal, of Chana; daughters, Judy (David) Reizer, of Arizona, and Peggy (Brad) Smith, of California; five grandchildren, Angela Fortin, of Florida, Renee Preston, of Rochelle, Matthew (Leah) Jordal, of Rochelle, Megan Jordal, of Texas, and Michael Jordal, of Chana; one great-granddaughter, Mikayla Preston; step-grandchildren, Joshua Young, of Texas, Krystina Pesterfield, of Arizona, and Eddie Smith, of Polo; sisters, Donna Cochrane, of Franklin Grove, Janice (Art) Byro, of Minnesota, and Nancy White, of Michigan; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Rev. Gregory Hoffmann. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the St. Paul Lutheran Church or Ogle County Hospice. Cremation will follow services with burial of his cremated remains at Malta Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.ungerhorner.com.