Orville L. Jorgenson

Orville Lauris (Bud) Jorgenson, 92, of Newton, formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born Nov. 17, 1923, in Bristol, S.D., the son of Amos Charles “AC” and Emma Ellefson Jorgenson, one of 10 brothers and sisters. Ole graduated from Bristol High School in South Dakota with the class of 1941. Following graduation, he entered the United States Navy. Following his discharge from the Navy, Ole went home with one of his Navy buddies to Kansas. The two of them found work there and Ole stayed for a time. It was in Kansas that he met Irene Winder. On March 21, 1947, the two of them were married in Kansas. To this union three sons were born, Charles, Merle and Dan. Following their marriage, they bought a farm in Kansas and together they farmed for a few years. Ole and Irene later divorced. Ole was a carpenter by trade the rest of his working life. He was a skilled craftsman and talented woodworker. He worked for many years for F.M. Design and Construction. On April 21, 1972, Ole was united in marriage to Betty Oteken in Craig County, Okla. Betty died March 2, 2005. Following their marriage, they moved to southern Iowa, first to Newton, then Colfax, until settling in Oskaloosa in 1975. Ole continued to do construction work in Oskaloosa for several years. Last he worked at Mahaska Bank (now Midwest One Bank) doing custom construction and maintenance work. He retired from the bank in 2007. In 2010, he moved to Newton, to be closer to his sons. Ole was an active member of the V.F.W., where he was a member for more than 60 years and had served as Post Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion, he served on the honor guard in Mahaska County for many years. He enjoyed being a Mason and a Shriner, where he participated in many Shriner’s Circuses and parades. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He was quick witted and always had a one-liner ready, to put a smile on the faces of those around him. It was a great honor for him to have his World War II experience chronicled, by a William Penn Student.

He is survived by his three sons, Charles (Marlene) Jorgenson of Newton, Merle (Ann) Jorgenson of Newton, and Dan Jorgenson of Newton; a stepson, Mark Lindflott of Northwood; six grandchildren, Jill (Larry) Klinkner, Jeff (Mindi) Jorgenson, Bryan Jorgenson and Amy Jorgenson-Harms-Coop, Lorissa Moffitt and Jason Jorgenson; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth Charles Jorgenson and David LeRoy Jorgenson; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Betty, Ole was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carrol Edward and Donald Robert Jorgenson; and five sisters, Elise, Violet, Helen, Betty and Alice.

As was Ole’s wish his body has been cremated. The family will be at the Bates Funeral Chapel from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday to greet friends and relatives. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating. Military honors will be given on the front lawn of the funeral chapel following the memorial service.