David John Jergenson

David's Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, March 23,.2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Morris, Minnesota.

David John Jergenson was born January 1, 1918 to Laura and George Jergenson of rural Donnelly. He was the seventh of eleven children. David attended District 56 Country School, followed by Agricultural School in Morris. Later, he attended Diesel School in Chicago. He farmed with his dad until he was drafted into the Army in 1942. He trained in the Mojave Desert in California with the 5th Armored Division, Ordinance Department.

Before David went overseas, he came home on furlough. In church one Sunday, he asked a 'young lady' for a date. They saw the movie, “Moonlight Serenade” and they were both smitten.

David served in Oran, Africa and Italy. It was in Italy where he recognized his lack of faith and became a follower of Jesus. In 1945, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Tech Sargeant.

After nearly 4 years of letter writing, he and the 'young lady', Julette Gilbertson, were married on March 10, 1946, at Kongsvinger Church in Donnelly, where they both attended in their youth. They resided in that area, then purchased a farm north of Cyrus in 1948. They did some farming, raised some animals, and began raising mink. In 2012, David was honored with the title, “Fur Rancher of the Year” by the Minnesota Fur Breeders Association. David was a loving, faithful husband and father. He and Julette raised five children, 2 sons and 3 daughters

In the community, he was active in choir, men's quartet, school board, Sunday School teaching, and youth work. David served as Chaplin of the Morris/Glenwood Gideon ministry for many years, handing out Bibles in parades and college campuses.

In 1982, David and Julette moved to Cyrus, where “retirement” really never took place, as David continued to help on the mink ranch with his son, Duane. He also spent many hours caring for a huge garden on the farm. That same year, they began to spend their winters in Arizona with family members and many new friends. They sang, played pool, swam, enjoyed flea markets and many games of Dominoes. They enjoyed 34 winters in Mesa.

Growing up, our dad tried really hard to get us to eat oatmeal every morning with little success! As we got older, he became our vitamin supplement specialist ~ well into his golden age. He loved to read, fish, and could repair most anything with wire and sometimes duct tape!

Dad lived a long and fruitful life and will be missed by family and friends.

Memorials are preferred to Gedeon's International or Donor's Choice.