Chester Jorde, 78, died Monday, December 9, 2002 at the SCCI Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, December 13, 2002 at Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Wesley Langaas officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 12, 2002 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Thursday evening and at the church for one hour prior to services on Friday.

Chester Gilbert Jorde was born on March 15, 1924 on the Family Farm in Excel Township, Marshall County, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Emma (Olson) Jorde. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. He attended school in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1941 and farmed on the Family Farm. On September 14, 1951 Chester was united in marriage to Betty Christensen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls until moving to Chicago. In Chicago Chester worked in maintenance for several apartment buildings until 1988 when he retired. In 1990 Chester and Betty returned to Thief River Falls, where they have since resided.

Chester was very strong in the Lutheran faith. He enjoyed his family and friends, playing cards, bowling and spending time at their cabin at Lake of the Woods. He loved fishing, ice fishing and especially enjoyed traveling. Chester was a good hugger and loved his family and spending time with them.

He was a member of Abundant Life Lutheran Church, Eagles Club and the Moose Club.

Chester is survived by his wife Betty of Thief River Falls, MN; two children: Gary (Joan) Jorde of Grand Forks, ND and Bruce Jorde of Thief River Falls, MN; two grandchildren: Joshua Jorde of St. Cloud, MN and Suzanne Jorde of Grand Forks, ND; two brothers: Alfin Jorde of Blooming Prairie, MN and Don (Grace) Jorde of Thief River Falls, MN; three sisters: Myrtle Gist of El Cajon, CA, Laura (Ed) LaPointe of Rochester, MN and Doris (Ray) Spencer of Palm Desert, CA; sister-in-law, Burnie Elmore of Othello, WA; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Martin Jorde and Ruben Jorde; one sister, Evelyn Cummings; brothers-in-law: Gene Gist and Elton Cummings; sisters-in-law: Lorrayn and Lila; and two nephews: Kenneth Jorde and Ronald Gist in infancy.