Alice Jordan

Alice Yost Jordan

Des Moines

Alice Yost Jordan was born in Davenport, Iowa, December 31, 1916, daughter of J. Frank and Anna H. Yost. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Des Moines, where she attended Hubbell, Callanan and Roosevelt public schools. A graduate of Drake University, she actively participated in many of the school's activities. She pursued graduate studies at Drake, Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. Drake honored her during their centennial year as "One in a Hundred."Grand View University, in 1986, conferred the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters upon her, and in 2006 Drake bestowed the honorary degree Doctor of Fine Arts. (Despite her many academic accomplishments in her undergraduate years, she almost did not graduate from Drake because she delayed the school's physical education requirement until her senior year. She always related this incident with a sly smile! And, in her presence, you had better be in control of your irregular verbs, particularly lie, lay, lain, as those who cared for her at 3801 Grand where she last resided, can attest.) Mrs. Jordan was listed in the first edition of Who's Who in American Women, and in Women in American Music.

She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2002. A widely-known composer, she was best known for more than 250 published choral and organ works and one of her best-known arrangements, "America the Beautiful,"was sung many times by the Iowa All-state Chorus. Sherrill Milnes of Metropolitan Opera fame, and Jon Spong, his accompanist, chose her "Take Joy Home", as a closing work on many of their world-wide concerts, including a White House Concert. Over 40 of her works had been commissioned by churches, universities and other organizations across the United States.

Alice served on the boards of the Des Moines Symphony Association, the Des Moines Women's Club, the Drake Alumnae Association and was president of the Des Moines Civic Music Association when it had 4,200 members. Memberships also included ASCAP, Kappa Alpha Theta, PEO and Mu Phi Epsilon which honored her with the Orah Ashley Lamke Distinguished Alumni Award at its triennial national convention. For many years she was a member of the Des Moines Club. A long-time member of First United Methodist Church, she was also an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

January 15, at the age of 95, Alice passed away at the Bright Kavanagh House. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Lawrence; and her husband, Dr. Frank B. Jordan, an accomplished organist and a long-time Professor of Music and Dean of Drake University's College of Fine Arts. At her request, her body was cremated and graveside services will be held Sunday, January 22, 2 p.m. at the Masonic Cemetery, 48th Street in Des Moines. A memorial service of her music will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Sunday, April 22, at 4 p.m.

To the wonderful staff at 3801 Grand, our heartfelt thanks, as well as to Bright Kavanagh House employees where Alice spent her final days. Those who wish to remember her are encouraged to give to a charity of his or her choice. How fortunate are those who were her friends. She was a charming hostess, an intelligent lady and a faithful friend, and whatever she undertook, she did it well. It was a remarkable life, remarkably lived. She will be missed by her many friends.