Irean Jordan

Irean Jordan, age 101, of Faith, SD, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial service was held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Faith, SD.

Irean Caroline Jordan born 09/03/1923 passed over to our Lord and Savior’s care at 101 years of age on 01/19/2025. She was born to parents Matt and Mary (Kletsch) Clasen in a one room log cabin North of Faith near Flint Rock. Irean’s father drove a horse and buggy to pick up the Faith town doctor and return for the delivery. 

Irean would walk a mile every day to attend her small one room country school. She did not attend high school in Faith after her eighth-grade year due to family considerations. Education, however, was important to Irean and later in life she completed her high school classes through a home studies program. She furthered her education with home study college classes via USD. 

Irean was an avid historian; she made many scrapbooks of pertinent Faith and South Dakota happenings. She wrote many stories of her life to share with her family and the surrounding communities. She was honored to have been a nominee for the Spirit of South Dakota award. 

Irean was an accomplished gardener often sharing her produce with those less fortunate. During her children’s upbringing she was active in the Marcus & Turtle Creek 4-H clubs instilling a love of animal care plus project management. She loved the Arts and was creative in designing her home  to be comfortable and welcoming to her family and friends.  Her cooking, baking and decorating skills were well known by family and friends as wonderful, especially for Holiday dinners. 

Irean was a member of the SD State Historical Society and was featured in a PBS Television broadcast segment about the role of her father as a prairie “Wolfer.”  She wrote a book on her father’s life entitled “Matt the Wolfer.” 

Irean was an avid collector of meaningful prairie life period pieces and she donated many items to the South Dakota State Historical Museum. She helped organize and worked with great friend Arlyce Krause in preserving the old Faith Icehouse into a museum as well as establishing the Stensland House Museum. Her historical research and value will long be remembered in the Faith area community.

Irean was a long-standing active member of St Joesph’s Catholic Church in Faith, South Dakota. She made many dear friendships in Faith community and will be dearly missed.

Irean married twice and to these two unions six beloved children were born. Irene is survived by her children Paul (& Frankie) Harper, Wallace (& Dianna) Harper, Linda (& Wayne) Haines, Merle (& Jack) Doolittle, Catherine Jordan Ginsbach and Son-in-Law Bill Doolittle (Joyce deceased 2018). Grandchildren: Jeff (& Barbie) Harper, Nan (&Rob) Farlee, Brian (& Darci) Harper, Matthew (&Carole) Harper, Rebecca Harper, Devin Haines, Kevin (& Char) Haines, Kelly Haines, Amy (& Mires) Macy, Ryan (& Sheri) Doolittle, Meghan Doolittle, Aaron (&Angie) Doolittle, Eric (& Alicia) Doolittle, Tracy (& Jared) Fosheim, Jennifer (& John) Stevens, Clinton (&Kacy) Doolittle, Justin (& Danni) Doolittle, and Carol Ginsbach. Great Grandchildren: Shannon & (Chris) Grueb, Slade (Jenny) Farlee, Kayla Farlee, Dace (Jodi) Harper, Jade (Katy) Harper, Jess Harper, Drew Harper, Nicole Harper, Nathan Harper, Sage Harper, Sarah Harper, Claire Harper, Abegail Haines, Madelyn Haines, Charlette Haines, Katie (Keith) Schreurs, Shaylee Haines, Alyssa Haines, Brody Doolittle, Jackson Doolittle, Ayden Doolittle, Carissa (Matt) Zysset, Thomas (Meghan) Doolittle, Blake Doolittle, Brayden Doolittle, Brianna Doolittle, Clayton (Tianna) Fosheim, Kaitlyn Fosheim, Colby (& Camrie) Fosheim, Kalli Fosheim, Berlin Stevens, Victoria Stevens, Chloe Doolittle, Oliver Doolittle, Aerial Ginsbach, Triston Ginsbach. Great Great Grandchildren: Rylee Grueb, Caitlyn Grueb, Walker Farlee, Siria Farlee, Kalynn Farlee, Nevaeh Farlee, Dallas Farlee, Maci Harper, Dillon Harper, Denton Harper, Levi 

Harper, Liah Harper, Amalie Harper, Bentley Doolittle, Beckham Doolittle, Braxton Doolittle, Blakeley Doolittle.

Irean is preceded in death by her parents Mary & Matt Clasen, brother John, sisters Catherine and Alice (stillborn), husband Bill Jordan, daughter Joyce, and great great granddaughter Aspen Marie Harper.