Phyllis Lucille Jordening

Phyllis Lucille Jordening was born February 22, 1931 to Charles & Edna Houser and given her angel wings on December 13, 2021. Her early years were spent growing up during the Depression on a farm southwest of Daykin. She attended elementary school by walking with her sister Marge to a one room schoolhouse one half mile west of the farm. She graduated from Daykin High School in 1948.
She began her working career by teaching at District 72, a one room schoolhouse. On December 30, 1951 she married her high school sweetheart Harlin Jordening. She attended classes at Fairbury Junior College where she earned her associates degree and continued to
teach through 1953.
Harlin was drafted into the Army in 1952. During that time Phyllis moved to Lincoln and worked at the Elgin Watch Factory until Harlin’s return in 1954. They settled in a home near Daykin where Phyllis went to work at the Daykin Bank. In July of 1955 they had their first child Theresa. At that point, Phyllis decided to become a stay-at-home mom. In January of 1957, Twila was born, and they moved to Daykin and lived in a home on main street. Their first son Tom was born in September of 1960 and the family was complete after the birth of Todd in September of 1963.
In 1966 the family moved to the Jordening family farm southeast of Daykin, owned by Harlin’s parents. During this time, they ran a trucking business, farmed, and raised livestock. In 1973 Phyllis started working for the Kellwood Sewing Factory and continued up until 1978 when she began working for the Meridian Public Schools as a Teachers Aid until she retired in 1998. It was during this time Phyllis lost her husband Harlin in April of 1985. In 1990 Phyllis’s son Todd moved on to the family farm. For the next fifteen years Phyllis lived on her own in a rural home and then moved into a home in Daykin.
In 2009, Phyllis moved to the Jordening dairy farm north of Fairbury where she lived out her final years. Thanks to Todd and Robin for providing her with the perfect home. She loved watching the cattle, feeding the birds and had a shed full of cats which she faithfully fed every morning and did so for the last time on December 10th. One of her last requests was that a family member take care of her kittens.
Phyllis spent many wonderful years traveling with her family and friends. She was a lifelong Daykin Legion Auxiliary member and a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church east of Daykin. Her hobbies included gardening and attending to her many flower beds. She loved attending her grandkids events at Meridian and made many trips to Omaha visiting her children and grandchildren.
Phyllis became ill and was admitted to Jefferson County Memorial Hospital on December 12th. She passed away peacefully the next day on December 13th, surrounded by her family. She was known for having a smile that could fill a room, bring joy and hope to the people she met and the things she did.
Heaven has gained a true angel.
Phyllis was proceeded in death by her parents Charles & Edna Houser, husband Harlin Jordening, sister and brother-in-law Marge & Dick Schwan, grandsons Jason Strain & Jaden Jordening. Left to celebrate her life include her children Theresa (Tom) Dein, Twila (Tom) Strain, Tom (June) Jordening, Todd (Robin) Jordening, brother Charles (Kathy) Houser, sisters in law Helen Jordening and Esther Roesler, 13 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, along with a large group of nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends.
Family visitation will be on December 29, 2021 at Gerdes Meyer Funeral home in Fairbury from 5-7 PM. Services will be held December 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church east of Daykin with Pastor Gideon Pullmann officiating. Pallbearers include grandsons Mike Dein, Scott Strain, Jamie Jordening, Jonah Jordening, Andy Jordening, and great-grandson Kolton Kumpf. Burial at the church cemetery. Memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church.