Ralph Lee Jorgensen

1934 - 2014

Funeral services for Ralph L. Jorgensen, 79, were conducted by Pastor Sam Jacobs and Pastor Paul Reynolds on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. Interment was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton. The honorary casket bearers were Whitney Jagoda, Lyndsy Pachniak, McKenzie Burmeister, Cassidy Bissen, Codi Bissen, Shelby Bissen, Katelyn Kolbe, Brennan Jones, and Peyton Jones. The casket bearers were Jeremy Petersen, Dylan Nelsen, Reid Zimmerman, Jacobi Zimmerman, Tyler Hansen, Jeremy Jagoda, Mitch Burmeister, Austin Kolbe, and Joshua Petersen. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon was in charge of the arrangements.
Ralph Lee Jorgensen, the son of Chris and Mabel Clemsen Jorgensen, was born April 18, 1934, at his parents' home in Audubon County, and died March 20, 2014, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 2 days.
Ralph was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. He attended rural school at "Mount Zion" then helped operate the family farm. On March 3, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his tour of duty he was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. He was honorably discharged on March 1, 1957 and returned home and operated the family farm.
On Oct. 2, 1959, he was united in marriage to Barbara Larsen at the Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan. Five daughters: Coleen, Cindy, Cheryl, Charlene, and Cammy were born to this union. Ralph farmed the family farm five miles north of Kimballton until 1978. He then was employed by Roberts Rural Supply constructing grain bins. After Roberts closed he was employed as a mechanic at Conklin Ford in Audubon. Ralph worked as a mechanic at Conklin's until it closed and was purchased by Larsen Ford in Exira. He worked at Larsen's until they closed the doors. Ralph worked at Swanson Automotive for a short time and then was employed at First Line Auto in Kimballton. During all this time he also farmed and raised sheep. In 1992, they moved to Barbara's parents' farm west of Kimballton.
Ralph was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. He was an avid NASCAR fan actually attending a race in Arizona. He enjoyed tinkering, but most of all he loved being with his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Mel and wife Ella Jorgensen; his infant sister Arlene Jorgensen; and his sister-in-law Virginia Jorgensen.
Survivors include his wife Barbara Jorgensen of Kimballton; his daughters: Coleen and husband Danny Jones of Ames; Cindy Jorgensen of Kimballton; Cheryl Bissen and special friend Steve Humphrey of Elk Horn; Charlene and husband Danny Schneider of Audubon; Cammy and husband Troy Hansen of Kimballton; his grandchildren: Dylan Nelsen of Gilbert; Brennan Jones and Peyton Jones both of Ames; Jeremy and wife Katie Petersen of Elk Horn; Josh Petersen of Mound City, Mo.; Reid Zimmerman and Jacobi Zimmerman both of Maryville, Mo.; Whitney and husband Jeremy Jagoda of Leawood, Kan.; Shelby Bissen of Austin, Texas; Katelyn and husband Austin Kolbe of Bellevue, Neb.; Cassidy Bissen of Ankeny; Codi Bissen of Bellevue; Lyndsy Pachniak and fiancé Zach Fitzgerald of Chicago, Ill.; McKenzie and husband Mitch Burmeister of Harlan; Tyler Hansen of Kimballton and special friend Katie Miller of Harlan; his great-grandchildren: Jace, Jaelynn, Jacob, and Jorgen Petersen all of Elk Horn; and Hunter Burmeister of Harlan; his brothers and sister: Harvey Jorgensen of Springfield, Mo.; Roy and wife Lila Jorgensen of Audubon; Correne and husband Gary Schmidt of Sheldon; his sister-in-law Janelle and husband Redgie Hansen of Scottsdale, Ariz.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.