GORDON LEE FORDAHL
Gordon Lee Fordahl, 78, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away on May 29, 2023, due to complications from diabetes and pneumonia. He had also been battling dementia for a number of years.
Gordy, as he preferred to be called because “it’s less formal,” was born to Alfred and Agnes (Bakke) Fordahl, on August 26, 1944, in Sisseton, SD. Growing up on the family farm northwest of Sisseton, he became knowledgeable in mechanics. After graduating from Sisseton High School in 1962, he worked in Rapid City for around 2 years. He attended Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo, ND, completing a program in auto repair. After completing the program, he worked for Brooks Motors in Sisseton. In 1965, he entered the Army and served his country as a Military Policeman (MP), including a tour in Vietnam. Upon his return home, he resumed his vocation of automobile mechanics. In 1969, he married Sandi Solberg, also from Sisseton. Until recently, he spent much of his life enjoying the smalltown pleasures of Britton, SD, where he worked at Thorp Auto Company, Dugdale’s Inc., Haaland Auto Repair, and Werner Automotive. The only things he loved more than the precision of Snap-On tools, Rolex watches, and Leica cameras were muscle cars, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and Allis-Chalmers tractors.
Gordy was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. While in high school, he served as an usher at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, and later in life he ushered at First Lutheran Church in Britton. He was an excellent photographer, and he never lost his love of lutefisk and lefse. His laidback, easy-going personality meant that his companionship was treasured by all who knew him. One nephew referred to him as “super-unk.”
He is survived by two siblings: Delores Kutz (Ron) of Bridgewater, CT, and Allen Fordahl (Deborah) of Crestline, OH; two children: Denise Bedell (Bob) of Ooltewah, TN, and Dana Fordahl (Tina Alessi) of Vancouver, WA; six grandchildren: Brock Jackson (Lisa), Alex Jackson (LaTia), Tarah Jackson, Nick Jackson (Paytyn), Mark Bedell, and Corey Bedell; eight greatgrandchildren, two nieces and two nephews, and a host of cousins.
Gordy will be laid to rest with full military honors at Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee at 1:30 pm on June 23, 2023.