Genevieve B. Jorgensen

Genevieve Berte Jorgensen passed into eternal life on Feb. 6, 2018, at Marywood Care Center in Duluth.

Genevieve was born on Jan. 29, 1929, to Arvid and Emma (Hansen) Swanson in North St. Paul. Graduating from North St. Paul High School, she then received a B.S. in Laboratory Technology from the University of Minnesota.

On Aug. 4, 1952, she married Edward Jorgensen. Together they had four children, and, during 48 years of marriage, lived in Duluth, Sioux City, Iowa, San Antonio, Fergus Falls, Minn., Rochester, and Britt, Minn., where they resided until just prior to Edward's death in 2000. Genevieve then lived in Rochester until moving back to Duluth in 2015.

Gen was an accomplished pianist and loved to cook. She enjoyed the outdoors with boating and camping in the summertime as well as snowmobiling during the winter. There is actually 8mm movie footage of her carrying a diaper pail down a portage trail in the BWCA as she and Ed took their 4 kids wilderness camping.

Gen loved playing table games and card games with both friends and family. She enjoyed travel, getting to virtually all the 50 states in the U.S., as well as making several trips to Europe. One of her greatest joys was simply spending time with her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. She was a regular attender at sports events, concerts, musicals, and plays, when her grandchildren were involved. And she loved going to Twins games.

Those who knew her described her as "kind," "good," "gracious," "accepting" and "humble." She enriched the lives of everyone she met. She had a vibrant relationship with God that showed itself in Bible study, persistent prayer, and acts of kindness and service.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband. She is survived by her children: Paul (Sharon) Jorgensen, David (Marla) Jorgensen, Steven (Martha) Jorgensen, and Jane (Walter) Cook. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sarah (Noble) Duncanson, John (Abby) Jorgensen, Linnea (Michael) Benike, Ben (Leslie) Jorgensen, Daniel (Nikki) Jorgensen, Carin Jorgensen, Laura (Ty) Larson, Kathryn (Eric) Allen, Aaron Jorgensen, Kristen (Jameson) Bast, Charlie Cook, Lukas (Carrie) Jorgensen, Makayla Jorgensen, Matt Jorgensen, Markus Jorgensen, and Connor Jorgensen; and by her great-grandchildren: Emily, Isaac, Nathan, Annabelle, Jack, Wyatt, Soren, Olivia, Ella, Caleb, Elizabeth, Joelle, Amber, Kara, and Audrey.

A memorial service for Genevieve will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Autumn Ridge Church, Rochester. It will be preceded by a private internment at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to The Salvation Army or to Now Is The Time, an initiative of Cornerstone Church, 205 CSAH 34, Litchfield, MN 55355, to develop vibrant and effective rural and small town churches in the upper Midwest.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901.

www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.