Richard (Rick) Jordahl

Rick Jordahl was born June 20, 1946, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was adopted as an infant by Richard and Alice Jordahl through Village Family Services.

Rick died August 1, 2023 at home in Fargo of congestive heart failure under the care of Sanford Hospice.

Growing up in the Bismarck-Mandan area, Rick graduated from Bismarck High School in 1964. During those years he met Ed Schafer, who would become a lifelong friend.

After high school, Rick went on to higher education at Moorhead (Minn.) State University, graduating in 1967. He was an active member of the TKE fraternity. He met Susan Anderson there, and Rick and Sue were married in March of 1967.

He worked in the Twin Cities for the Factory Insurance Association, then returned to Moorhead in 1968 and began work with the Wylie Piano Company. That experience led to his opening Stereoland in the original Brookdale Shopping Center in Moorhead. In time, Rick owned several Stereoland stores throughout the region. An old school rocker, he loved loud rock ‘n’ roll music in his car and at his lake place. He sold Stereoland to his employees and began a career in real estate and development that spanned 50 years.

Known in the business community for “thinking out of the box,” Rick’s projects were innovative and visionary. At one time, he was the largest property taxpayer in Moorhead. His business acumen was legendary. One colleague remembers his vision for Moorhead’s Holiday Mall redevelopment as having been sketched out on one page of a legal pad – financial costs and associated details – which proved to be accurate as the project progressed. It was a hallmark of Rick’s focus and ability when it came to real estate and new building projects.

Among the projects and initiatives that changed the face of Moorhead were: Refurbishing the Fairmont Creamery; reconstruction of the Holiday Mall and Brookdale Shopping Center, and building the new Easten Shopping Center. In the Holiday Mall project, his work was key to cleaning up the blighted area and securing a Marriott Hotel as a convention center for the city.

In addition to his commercial developments, Rick worked with union builders to create Angela’s Addition (a residential subdivision in Moorhead) with no reliance on assessments. The result was new housing being constructed at a time when others were reluctant to build in the city. The results were lowered costs for homeowners, jobs for electrical workers and an attractive housing tract for Moorhead.

He served on the Moorhead Public Service Commission.

Known locally for his work in Moorhead, Rick completed and worked on real estate deals in seven states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Florida, and Iowa. He worked directly with Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, on several projects.

Ethical and forthright in his business dealings, Rick could be justifiably impatient when government and bureaucrats unnecessarily delayed or undermined needed developments.

When he wasn’t hard at work, Rick loved to sail in regattas at Leech Lake, work on his vintage car collection, study history, relax at the family’s homes in Florida and Minnesota lakes country, and traveling to historic Medora, North Dakota.

Rick was especially proud of a real estate investment he made at Devils Lake, North Dakota, at a time when the city’s development had been stymied by the rising waters of Devils Lake. His willingness to invest in a project proved to be a stimulus of other developers, and the city’s economic outlook improved significantly.

In his philanthropic life, Rick quietly supported causes and organizations in which he believed, never seeking recognition or headlines.

A dog lover, Rick’s family always had a dog.

Rick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan, son Rob (Leanne), daughter Angela, grandchildren Luke, Drew, Elise and Carly Sue, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He will be missed by family and many friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, Rick and his family requested donations be sent to Village Family Services Adoption Services.