Leslie Jordan

Longtime Anchorage resident Leslie June Jordan, 69, passed away July 11, 2013, after a long battle with lung cancer.

Leslie was born in Gunnison, Colo., to James and Delores Whitt on June 9, 1944.

Leslie moved to Palmer in 1952 with her parents, seven siblings and the family dog. She lived with her family on a farm in Palmer, where they raised livestock and lived a simple life. Leslie moved to Anchorage shortly after high school, where she welcomed her son Kent and received a job with the Municipality of Anchorage, from where she would later retire 28 years later. While working there, Leslie met the love of her life, Frank Jordan. Leslie and Frank married Jan. 12, 1973. They then began the adventure of raising their blended family of now five children.

Leslie was incredibly talented and crafty. She enjoyed crocheting scarves, cross stitching and creating hand-crafted stitched greeting cards! She donated most of her finished crafts to charities around Anchorage. This is just one of many examples of her generous heart. There was nothing Leslie enjoyed more than spending time with her family and friends. She loved hosting lunches and dinners where she could take pleasure in her favorite card game of pinochle. Leslie always looked forward to spending time at their cabin in Ninilchik, but she was a city girl through and through. Leslie will be remembered for her strength, generosity and patience.

Leslie’s sister Toni stated, “I will never forget how patient Leslie was with me when we were children. Every night until I was 10 years old she would read me a fairy tale from a book we all shared. ‘Rapunzel’ was my favorite story and she never got tired of reading it to me no matter how many times I asked.”

Leslie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Delores Whitt; brothers, Rex and Dickie Whitt; and sister, Terry Cooper.

Leslie is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, Frank Jordan of Anchorage; sons, Kent Saathoff of Corvallis, Ore., Darryl Jordan of Anchorage and Robert Jordan of Anchorage; daughters, Diane Jordan of Anchorage and Donna Acuna of Anchorage; brother, James Whitt Jr. of Palmer; sisters, Delores Hamann of Kenai, Toni Stocks of Carson City, Nev., and Carol Foster of Honey Gr., Texas; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service is at 2 p.m., July 20 at Kehl’s Funeral Home, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer. A graveside service will follow at the Palmer Cemetery and a potluck style gathering will immediately follow the graveside service and will be located at Danny and Jackie Corey’s residence.