Jorgenson services held at Bethel Presbyterian

Jorgenson services held at Bethel Presbyterian

Funeral services for Clarence G. Jorgenson, 85, of West Union were held Friday, March 1, at Bethel Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Galen Smith officiating.

Interment was in the West Union Cemetery with military rites conducted by West Union American Legion Post 15.

Burnham-Wood & S.K. Rogers Funeral Home, West Union, was in charge of arrangements.

Clarence died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at his home following an extended illness.

Clarence George Jorgenson was born Dec. 6, 1927, in rural Westgate to Oscar F. and Rose Marie (Heller) Jorgenson. 

He was baptized in the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Heller Sr. and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sumner. 

Clarence attended schools in Sumner, Maynard and Stanley.

On July 28, 1950, he was united in marriage with Marilyn Julia Kohls at First Baptist Church in Elgin. To this union, six children were born.

Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, spending a good share of this time in Occupied Japan near MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo. 

Later he served the city of West Union as a volunteer firefighter for 10 years and held positions on the City’s Police Department and Street Department. 

In 1953, Clarence and a business partner opened and ran West Union’s J&M DX Service Station. Here, he also overhauled, repaired and did body work for their stock car that was raced at Charles City and at local racetracks.

Clarence also worked as a driver and salesman for many West Union businesses and was awarded recognition for his achievements by Elsheimer’s Meat Products. 

He retired after working 16 years in the Fayette County Courthouse as a maintenance person. He was responsible for extensive remodeling of the courthouse. He also took care of the voting machines, working with the county auditor in setting them up and maintaining them for all elections. 

Clarence was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as a member of West Union American Legion Post 15 and the Fayette County American Legion.  

Clarence loved working with cars and camping with his family. He and his wife, Marilyn, traveled many miles in their motor home, enjoying many winters in Arizona with family and in Texas with many friends.

Clarence was known for his extensive knowledge in fixing things and for his friendly nature with all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Allen; a brother, Edwin Jorgenson; two sisters, Edna and Adeline Jorgenson; and his parent-in-laws, Anton and Mary Kohls.

Survivors include Marilyn, his wife of 62 years, of West Union; five children, Edwin (Janann) Jorgenson of Elgin, Kathy (Arlin) Begalske of Sumner, Lynda (Greg) Scott of Cumming, Ga., Thomas (Julie) Jorgenson of Cedar Rapids, and Gary (Molly N.) Jorgenson of Center Point.

Additional survivors include 10 grandchildren, Marcia (Monti) Fisher, Kristen Jorgenson, Ryan (Ashley) Begalske, Eric Begalske, Jessica and Nick Scott, Mallorie, Marisa and Matthew Jorgenson, and Adriana Jorgenson; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elna (George) Campbell of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Doris (Gordon) Kleppe, of West Union; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be directed to Palmer Hospice or Palmer Memorial Foundation.

Online condolences may be left at www.skrogersfuneralhome.com.