Earl Edgar Jorgensen

Earl Edgar Jorgensen of Storm Lake, Iowa, passed away March 22, 2023 at Methodist Manor Retirement Center in Storm Lake. He was 98 years old. Funeral services will take place Monday, March 27, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Earl was born May 31, 1924, in Newell, Iowa. He was the youngest of seven children born to his parents, Martin and Anna Marie, who emigrated from Denmark in 1911. Earl was baptized at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. Earl was fluent in Danish and proud of his Danish heritage. Within his family, he adopted the Danish traditions he so loved as a child. His favorites included pebbernoder, aebelskiver and dancing around the Christmas tree singing, “Nu Har Vi Jul Igen.” Earl loved that his grandchildren carry on the same traditions. Earl graduated from Newell in 1942. Like many 18-year-olds from the Greatest Generation, he was drafted into the US Army early in 1943. He was assigned to the 149th Combat Engineers. Early in 1944, while stationed in England, Earl was asked to become a medic in the 149th Combat Engineers, medical division. He landed on Omaha Beach ten days after D-Day and was stationed in Europe during WWII. Upon returning to Iowa, Earl was united in marriage with Vivian Gustafson on July 9, 1946. Earl and Vivian’s marriage was filled with love and laughter. They enjoyed being together, often golfing, dancing, and going out for a “bite to eat.” Earl and Vivian were lifelong and active members of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Earl and Vivian were blessed with four children: Kathy, Jim, Rita and Linda. Earl was a kind and loving father. He established unique and special bonds with each one of his children. Earl worked for Iowa Electric Light and Power Company for 37 years and retired in 1984. Staying active in retirement, Earl then drove bus for the Storm Lake Schools. He was remembered by many students as the best school bus driver ever. During retirement Earl and Vivian enjoyed many family gatherings, ball games, golf events, and just having fun times with family and friends. Earl and Vivian visited Europe three times with their daughter, Rita and family, who lived in Germany. During their European trips, Earl and Vivian visited relatives in Denmark and Sweden. They also visited Normandy and returned to locations where Earl served during WWII. Earl grew up with a love of sports. In high school he played basketball and baseball. His baseball team went to the state tournament his senior year. After high school, Earl played baseball for Buena Vista College and the Storm Lake Whitecaps. Earl loved to pheasant hunt with his family. Earl also loved to golf. He was a charter member of Lake Creek Country Club and had two hole-in-ones. Earl was a lifelong fan of the Storm Lake Tornadoes, Iowa Hawkeyes, and St. Louis Cardinals. Earl was an avid reader, curious about the world and always up to date regarding current events. He loved reading and learning facts about sports, history, nature, and more. He had a love of nature and for the beauty of the world God created. He particularly loved seeing a cardinal at his birdfeeder, his green beans thriving in the garden, and his four o’clocks in full bloom. Earl found satisfaction in everyday activities and in helping others. He kept his yard mowed, his leaves raked, and the sidewalk shoveled. He kept his bird feeder full, and the garden weeded. He not only mowed his yard, but the neighbor’s yard too. He didn’t just snow-blow his walk, but also his neighbor’s. He was always willing to help family and friends. He made his neighborhood, on Otsego Street, a better place. Earl led a full life, living every day to the fullest. He was an early riser and the last one to bed. Earl and Vivian were down-to-earth, wholesome, and decent people. They met the gold standard in regard to being quality parents, grandparents and neighbors. Earl applied these neighborly gestures wherever he was; with his family, his grandchildren, at church, at Lake Creek, when he visited his relatives in Denmark, at the manor, wherever he was at the time. Earl was personable, always enjoying the company of others. He established close ties with family and friends and was always happy to join them in a coffee party, happy hour, or evening meal. Looking back at Earl’s life reveals a pattern of attributes he embodied throughout his life. Earl was caring, generous and devoted to his family and compassionate with everyone. When Vivian became ill later in her life, Earl lovingly cared for her and displayed an unwavering commitment to her. He lived by the Golden Rule. Earl didn’t have to work at this - it was natural for him. He carried with him an innate sense of decency - it was part of him, part of who he was. Earl lived a long, enjoyable and meaningful life. He will be remembered and missed greatly. Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian, his parents, Martin and Anna Marie Jorgensen, and Earl’s siblings; Harry Jorgensen, Gunner Jorgensen, Oda Haahr, Ingeborg McKenna, Margot Mack, and Paul Jorgensen, and grandson, Trevor Anderson. Left to cherish his memory are his children and their spouses: Kathy and her husband, David Cass; Jim and his wife, Barbara; Rita and her husband, Doug Kern; and Linda and her husband, Scott Anderson. Earl’s eleven grandchildren include: Todd (Nicole) Cass, Jason (Barb) Cass, Emily (David) Wegley, Mandie Cass, Jeff (Jordan) Jorgensen, Chris (Stephanie) Jorgensen, Jessica (Kevin) Denton, Travis (Molly) Kern, Erika (Andrew) Boyer-Kern, Chelsea (Randy) Bissen, and Luke (Sarah) Anderson. Earl’s 22 great-grandchildren include: Olivia, Sophie, Bella, and Gianna (Todd); Peyton and husband Ben, Grace (Jason); Ian, Liam (Emily); Londyn (Mandie); Vivian, June, Rosemary (Jeff); Jenna, Chloe (Chris); Dylan, Lucas, Wesley (Travis); Charlie, Rita (Erika); and Ben, Evy, Jaelea (Chelsea).

Earl Edgar Jorgensen

May 31, 1924 - March 22, 2023