Harold C. Jordahl
Harold C. "Bud" Jordahl, Jr. died on May 11, 2010 in Madison while being embraced by his family. Bud was born in McIntosh, Minnesota in 1926 to Harold Conrad and Margaret Serena Jordahl. He spent his youth on the prairie of northwest Minnesota before moving to Findlay, Ohio. He served in the US Navy in World War II. Bud received a BS and a Master Degree in Forestry from the University of Michigan and later received a Master Degree in Public Administration from Harvard. He started his career as a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Conservation Department.
Bud married Marilyn June Hanson on June 18, 1955 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin after courting on canoe trips on the Namekogin River and Spooner Lake. After moving to Madison in 1958, Bud and Marilyn helped to found Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as charter members and were involved in the church for their entire lives. Bud & Marilyn were married for 41 years before her death in 1997.
Bud's love of the outdoors was best seen at their farm in Richland County where, together with Marilyn and the kids, grandchildren and countless friends and relatives, they nursed an abused driftless region farm back to health by...[more]
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anting tens of thousands of trees, restoring springs and ponds and protecting the forests and prairies. He spent days walking, hunting, fishing and enjoying God's natural world at the farm while teaching us to make apple cider, maple syrup, pick morels and catch bass. He taught us all to appreciate the wonder and beauty of our natural world, from the tiny spring peeper and whip-o-will songs in the night to the autumn colored leaves on the ridgetops and valleys. Bud's love for the farm was matched only by his love for good chocolates and strong black coffee. He often enjoyed- and graciously shared - them both on the porch of the farm.
Bud's career led him to work closely with legislators, governors, senators and in President Kennedy's and President Johnson's administrations advocating on behalf of our natural world. He served on and was elected Chair of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. He capped his career as Professor Emeritus of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Wisconsin and with UW Extension. After retirement, he continued to lead and work with others to found conservation groups such as Gathering Waters Conservancy and 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.
Bud's legacy protecting our outdoors include many accomplishments such as his work with Gaylord Nelson to create the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the designation of the Namekagon -- St Croix National Wild & Scenic Riverway, the creation of the state's original Stewardship Fund in 1962 to protect outdoor lands for conservation and recreation, organizing the first Earth Day in 1970, and working to establish the Northern Great Lakes Regional Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin. He was honored with many recognitions and awards and was selected for the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 2005. Bud loved his children and grandchildren, and cherished his relationships with students, colleagues, friends, and family and celebrated their many successes. Bud was a loving father, delightful grandfather, reliable friend, patient teacher, mentor and leader for many.
Immediately prior to taking ill, Bud celebrated the 40th Earth Day and was at the farm enjoying his spring turkey hunting season with friends and family and planning the summer's projects. As Bud would say, "keep the faith!"
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marilyn, daughter Johanna Margaret, sister Naomi and brother Donny. Bud is survived by his children Kristine (Dave Young), Kari (Gary Dunham) and Harald "Jordy" (Calliope), grandchildren Maggie & Jonas Dunham Jordahl and Ella, Serena & Trygve Jordahl, sister Margaret (Morrie) Rhude, brother-in-law Walter Forsberg, sisters-in-law Berdella Johnson, Julie (Bela) Maroti, Emmy (Neal) Abello, and many loved nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 -- 4:00 p.m. on Sunday May 16 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday May 17 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison. Suggested memorials include Gathering Waters Conservancy, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Friends of Crex Meadows, Friends of the Apostle Islands, or a charity of your choice.
