Norman was born to Jes and Lena (Jorgensen) Jorgensen on the17th of March, 1928 at Hooper, Nebraska. He grew up on the farm northwest of Fremont, and graduated from Fremont High School.
On October 16, 1948 he was married in the Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church (northwest of Fremont) to Marjorie Ibsen. Norman farmed most of his working years northwest of Fremont. During this time he also worked for Hormel's for 12 years, and he had a feed business. Norman and Marjorie moved into Fremont in 1983, and continued operating a Merry Maids franchise for 20 years.
He was a member of the Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church where he was very active, serving on the church council, as Sunday School Superintendent, and sang in the choir. He had been a 4-H member, later serving as a 4-H Leader and helping to organize 2 4-H Clubs. He was a past president of the Fremont Optimist Club, had been a member of the Dodge County Fair Board, and was chosen as the Grand Marshall of the Fair's parade one year. He was also an active member of the Pathfinders Wood Carvers.
Survivors - wife Marjorie
3 daughters - Lanette and husband Dennis Cramer of Lake Ozark, Missouri
Vickie and husband Glen Ruether of Hooper
Rita and husband Ted Pratt of Fremont
2 sons - Keith and wife Rita Jorgensen of Grand Island
Kent Jorgensen of Fremont
12 grandchildren - Jim and wife Cindy Cramer, and Dan and wife Tammy Cramer, of Lake Ozark;
Jennifer and husband Jerry Layton, Kari and husband Brett Harris, and Brent
Ruether, of Hooper; Kyle and wife Kristin Pratt of Omaha, Cathy and husband
Cory Schwaar of Fremont; Kellen and wife Ashley Jorgensen of Norman, OK;
Tyler Jorgensen and Allison Jorgensen of Lincoln; Kaleb Jorgensen and Kialynne
Jorgensen of Fremont.
8 great grandchildren - Kayla Cramer and Katelynn Cramer of Lake Ozark; Austin Hansen, Abbie
Hansen, Seth Hansen, Isaac Harris, of Hooper; Justin Kyser of Beatrice;
Kolt Jorgensen of Norman, OK.
1 sister - Beulah and husband Paul Larsen of Fremont
Norman was preceded in death by a daughter Kathy, and a granddaughter Katy Cramer.
The Memorial Service will be 10 AM Saturday (Oct. 30th) at the Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church northwest of Fremont with Pastor Sean Tyler officiating. The committal will be in the Bluffs Cemetery. There is no viewing, however the family will be receiving friends Friday (Oct. 29th) at the Ludvigsen Mortuary from 5 to 8 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Bluffs Cemetery Association and to the Bluffs Trinity Lutheran Church.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(12)
Linda Kastrup Moran
San Diego, Ca Thursday, November 4, 2010 Dear Vicki and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My heart breaks for you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. And I'm also sending you one of my biggest hugs. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see you in August. The years melted away when I saw you walk through the door. Take care. Love always LindaMarlys Meyer
Scribner, NE Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Our paths crossed only a few times and usually in connection with the Fremont Pathfinder Carvers when our Tanzanian friend, John Mkenda, visited and was welcomed by this group. Norman and his family were a big part of this welcoming group and John would want us to greet you and extend his sympathy as well.--Marlys MeyerRuss & Carol Munch
Trinity, TX Saturday, October 30, 2010 To all the Jorgensen family, You have our deepest sympathy for your loss of a wonderful husband, dad & grandpa. I thank God for all the wonderful times our families shared together in church, school, and 4-H. Norm's life was a precious example of faith, love and kindness. I will always remember him and your special family. You are in our prayers. With love, Carol (Francis) MunchJoan Behrens
Fremont, NE Saturday, October 30, 2010 Dear Family of Norm My sincere sympathy and love goes out to you all. What a blessing it was to know Norm. I know one thing for sure. He raised a beautiful family with true qualities of a Christian Family. He's in Heaven looking down Proudly at all of you. Blessings Joan BehrensBrian Peterson
Colorado Springs, Friday, October 29, 2010 Marge and all the family, My deepest sympathies as we morn Norms loss together. I'll never forget you and Norm always had the warmest presence about you. Love, Brian and KimBrett Peterson
Naples, Fl Friday, October 29, 2010 Marge & family, I remember being about 12 or 13 years old, coming to Fremont with Mom & Dad when you started your Merry Maids business. It was like coming to grandmas. Warm smiles and true happiness when being greeted. Always genuine. Our prayers are with you all, but comforted to know Norm is walking those streets of gold he so willingly talked of. No doubt the smile on his face now, is making it difficult to see his eyes! : )Bob Fanshier
Salem, Or Friday, October 29, 2010 Norm was a fine man who always exuded joy and friendliness. He always welcomed me like I had always been a part of the family. I always enjoyed my visits with him and Marge. The world is a better place from his presence. He will be greatly missed.Barb (Smith) Christiansen
Littleton, CO Friday, October 29, 2010 Dear Vickie & Family....I wanted to send you my sincere condolences on the loss of your Father. I know you will have lots of wonderful memories to cherish. May it help to know your Father is only as far away as your heart & thoughts. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Sincere Sympathy, Barb & Dave Christiansen, Littleton, CODallen & Glennis Peterson
Naples, FL Friday, October 29, 2010 Dear Marge, Lanette, Vicki, Rita, Keith and Kent, First, you have our most sincere sympathy from all of us in our family. How we wish we lived closer at a time such as this - we would be there with you. I remember the first time we met, and also when we had lunch together after a Friday night prison visit in Lincoln. That led to our joining together in Merry Maids! I also remember being at your auction sale after you were in business. You were truly pioneers with us - as we all struggled to make a success of our new venture. Remember our 5th Merry Maids banquet? You were with us at the head table and Norm gave a most wonderful toast - closing by saying, "And mama - look at us now!" The warm memories that Glennis and I have of your long friendship and love is a wonderful example of our Lord's love for us. We love you - and God bless you all! Most sincerely, Dallen & Glennis, Kim, Kris, Brian, Karma and BrettJanalee Butler
Colorado Springs, CO Thursday, October 28, 2010 Dear Marge and family, My folks and I would like to pay our condolences to you all. It was such a joy to see you at Pam's internment at Bluffs Trinity cemetary and later at Beulah and Paul's. We are sorry we can't be there for Norman's service, but know you are all in our prayers. I will never forget the wonderful carousel that Norman made. What a wonderful treasure and legacy for you all. JanNancy Schroeder
Hooper, NE Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Dear Marge, Vickie, Rita, Lynette, Keith, Kent and family, We're remembering you each in prayer today as you mourn and celebrate the life of your husband, Dad and Grandpa...to have known Norm all my life and to see him go to his heavenly home, makes me cry--but also, for his sake, I give thanks that he suffers no more. His legacy is his wonderful family. I would always smile whenever I remembered any of the "Jorgensens" because you, as a family, were full of laughter and humor, faith and kindness. I have memories of all of us "kids a jumble" at Norm and Marge's playing, jumping, and laughing while the adults upstairs were trying to visit ...the farm ties we shared in the old neighborhood are ones I treasure to this day. For my parents, this is particulary hard to say farewell to a trusted and life long friend. For Norm to leave us near All Saints Day next week is truly a measure of the Christian he was--on All Saints, we remember the lives of those loved ones who left our earthly home this past year. I give thanks to God for Norm and his many kindnesses to our family, in good times and difficult. One of special times these past two years was to have Norm as a guest woodcarver and speaker to our Redeemer Preschoolers. We also greatly appreciated seeing him at the 4-H dinner this summer--to see Norm and Dad together was "a little bit of Heaven". To comfort you: Isaiah 61:"The spirit of the lord is upon me...he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the broken hearted..to comfort all who mourn" Thanks and love dear Jorgensens--. Nancy SchroederEdward Walker
Kingsland, GA Friday, October 29, 2010 Ann and I are saddened by your loss. We enjoyed Mr. Jorgensen the few times we saw him. He had a zest for life and enjoyed being around people. A good guy and a fun guy. If there is anything we can do, let us know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ED AND ANN WALKER