Kootenai County ID Archives Obituaries.....[Johnson] Jordan, Virginia Lee November 5, 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/idfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com November 9, 2005, 1:44 am Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Virginia Jordan, 83 Virginia Lee Jordan, 83, Coeur d'Alene, passed away Nov. 5, 2005. She was the only child of Sallie and Robert Johnson, both now deceased, and was born in West Frankfort, Ill., on Jan. 3, 1922. Virginia attended school there and graduated from West Frankfort High School, then attended MacMurray, an all-women's college in Illinois. After graduating from high school, Virginia was chosen the Beauty Queen for Southern Illinois. She also had many other interests and hobbies, including bridge, pingpong and golf. Probably her favorite hobby was dancing and listening to the big bands of the '40s and '50s. Virginia had been privileged to meet many of the band leaders, such as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Harry James, just to mention a few. She was also lucky to have met Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and Nat King Cole, among a host of others in the entertainment business. During the war years of 1942-45, Virginia worked for the rationing board office. In 1944, she met and became engaged to Elmer Jordan, who was then coaching at the local high school. They were married June 2, 1945, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, where Elmer was employed as the Coeur d'Alene High School athletic director and coached high school basketball and football for 23 years. Virginia opened an exclusive children's store known as the Sallie Shoppe, which was located in the Desert Hotel on First Street in Coeur d'Alene, then also opened a second shop in Wallace. Virginia worked in her stores until their son, Brad, was born, after which she stayed home to care for him. During that time, Virginia and Elmer acquired some land at Arrow Point on Lake Coeur d'Alene, where they operated a private boys' camp for several years, and later converted it to a full service resort. A few years later, Virginia's parents, Sally and Robert Johnson, also moved to Coeur d'Alene and joined the Jordans in operating the Arrow Point Resort. The two couples ran the resort for many years, until they sold it to pursue other interests. Virginia and Elmer joined the Hayden Lake Country Club to pursue at least a couple of their favorite pastimes, golf and bridge. Over the years, Virginia was noted for interior decorating and her private parties. She was also a member of the Methodist Church and the PEO. She had many friends throughout her lifetime. Virginia was especially proud of her family, son Brad Jordan, his wife, Debi, and their two daughters, Kaitlyn and Alexis. She will be missed by all. Visitation today will be 3-6 p.m., and memorial service will be 2 p.m. Nov. 10, both at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, who is in charge of all funeral arrangements. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery. Donations may be given to First Methodist Church in Coeur d'Alene, the Diabetes Fund, or to donor's choice of charity. Please sign Virginia's guest registry and view the online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com. Additional Comments: Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho <> Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased. No other information available from submitter. 08 November 2005 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/id/kootenai/obits/j/johnsonj1054gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb