Ernest “Ernie” Joseph Jordan, 72, Bismarck, formerly of Mott, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Ernie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 22, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Mott, with Fr. Chris Kadrmas as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at SunnySlope Cemetery, Mott. Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the church, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday.
Ernie Jordan was born in rural Mott, the seventh of 13 children to John and Ann (Miller) Jordan on September 28, 1950. He attended a one room school for the first 8 grades and then graduated from Mott Lincoln Highschool in May of 1968. He attended Denver Automotive and received a certificate in Deisel Mechanics. After completing his certificate, he moved to Dickinson, and worked for Grossman International. While working for Grossman International he met the love of his life Carol Zent.
Ernie and Carol were joined in marriage on December 27, 1972. To this union 3 daughters were born Wendy, Nicole and Theresa. After Ernie and Carol were married, they moved to Bowman, where Ernie worked a short time for a dairy farmer. Then they moved to Hettinger, where Ernie started working for John Deere. In 1980 they moved to Mott, which became their home for the next 43 years. Ernie started his career in Mott working for Hershruds as a diesel mechanic. In September of 1989 Ernie started Ernie’s Repair where he worked until he retired in December of 2012.
One of Ernie’s many passions in life was being actively involved in demolition derbys. He drove in many derbys, judged many Hettinger County Fair derbys, and taught others to love the sport. He was a volunteer firefighter for 27 years in Mott. Safety was always on the front of Ernie’s mind when teaching his daughters the love of hunting while barreling through the countryside in a pickup while his daughters flew threw the cab. In his free time he enjoyed playing cards, sleeping while doing book work, watching westerns especially John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. However, nothing brought Ernie more joy than playing with his grandkids.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Carol of 50 years; daughters, Wendy Dixon of Dickinson, Nicole (Chris) Kalash of Bismarck, and Theresa (Nick) West of Thompson; grandkids, Austin (Hope) Hilfer of Dickinson, McCayla (Tanner) Petterson of East Grand Forks, MN, Bailey Hager, Caine Kalash of Bismarck, and Jordan, Jacob, Eli and Miles West of Thompson; sisters, Mary (Larry) Messer of Mott, Roberta Myra of Fargo, Elaine (Russ) Mather and Ann (Todd) Bortke of Bismarck; brother-in-law, Stanley Hughes; sisters-in-law, Betty Jordan, Maggie Jordan, Marian Jordan, and Gloria Jordan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, John M. and Ann Jordan; brothers, Lawrence, Gary, Russell, Marvin, and Wayne; sisters, Delores Hughes, Jeanette Strehlow and Carol Voegele; brothers-in-law, Earl Strehlow and Chris Voegele; father-in-law, Michael Zent; mother-in-law, Eleanor Zent; sisters-in-law, Beverly Wanner and Mary Zent; brother-in-law, Ralph Vetter; nephews, Mike Hughes, Richard Jordan, Scott Mather; and niece, Amy Bortke.
