Alexander "Alex" Jordan

Alexander "Alex" Jordan, age 94, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Waubay, SD, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at a local care center.  Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rev. Brad Birtell will officiate.  Music will be provided by Dawn LaMee as organist and Larry Tietjen as soloist and musician. Livestream will be provided by the church.

Visitation will be at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  Active pallbearers will be Alex’s grandchildren, Brian Jordan, Becki Jordan, Aaron Jordan, Dan Whitlock, Darin Whitlock, Dereck Whitlock, Jason Ploof, Justin Ploof, Jacob Ploof, Dustin Jordan, and Travis Jordan. 

Alex was born on November 24, 1930, in Redwood Falls, MN, to Otto and Dorthea (Arndt) Jordan.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls, MN.  Alex attended Redwood Township School District #63 and graduated from Wabasso High School with the class of 1949. 

On June 23, 1954, Alex married Arlene Bartelt at the Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay, SD.  Shortly after their marriage Alex was drafted into the United States Army, proudly serving from 1955 to 1957 when he was honorably discharged.  Following his time in the service, the couple moved to the family farm in Redwood Falls, MN, until moving to a farm near Waubay, SD, in 1959. 

Alex was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay, SD, where he was active in the choir, and served in the church council as a trustee and secretary.  He was on the Entertainment Committee for Waubay’s 125th Anniversary, served as the President for AAL Branch #1404 for 25 years.  Alex was a member of the Waubay and Watertown Senior Citizens, and on the Centennial Committee for Zion Lutheran Church.  He was a drummer in various old time/country bands from the age of 15 to 75.  Alex enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his coffee friends.  After Alex retired from farming, he enjoyed woodworking where he could build anything you wanted, all he would need was a pattern.  He also enjoyed doing diamond art in his later years. 

Alex is survived by his wife, Arlene of 71 years; children, Kenneth (Joan) Jordan, of Redwood Falls, MN, Debra (Dallas) Whitlock, of Watertown, SD, Brenda Ploof, of Watertown, SD, and Michael (Kristi) Jordan, of Sommerset, SD; sisters-in-law, Alyce Bartelt and Verna Bartelt; eleven grandchildren; Brian (CJ) Jordan, Becki Jordan, Aaron Jordan, Dan (Michele) Whitlock, Darin Whitlock, Dereck Whitlock, Jason (Vicky) Ploof, Justin Ploof, Jacob Ploof, Dustin (Becky) Jordan, and Travis (Courtney) Jordan; fifteen great-grandchildren; Kendalyn and Parker Dingman, Brennan and Jazlyn Jordan, Zachary (Madison) Whitlock, Tyler (Madalynn) Whitlock, Trinity (Hunter) Ploof, Alex (Angelyn) Ploof, Emma Ploof, Aubrey Ploof, and Eli Ploof, Leo, Max, Jude, and Noah Jordan; one great-great-grandchild due in December; and many nieces, nephews.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Dorthea; parents-in-law, Emil and Elsie Bartelt; brothers, Donald and John; and brothers-in-law, Earl, Harvey, and Duane Bartelt.

Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay, SD, or Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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