Lois Jorgensen

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Life is not to the swift, but he who endures to the end.

Then pick up your load and keep going my friend!

Excerpt from "Just Keep on Keep'in On"

A Voice Within, by Lois Jorgensen

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Lois Jean Ricks Jorgensen, our cherished mother and inspirational poet, passed away on Sunday, August 17, at the age of 95.

Lois was born on September 5, 1929, in Lehi, Utah to George and Myrel Ricks. Growing up, she loved to read and write. Her parents encouraged her writing of poetry and said she should publish a book one day.

As a young adult, Lois attracted the attention of Marvin Jorgensen, who lived in the same LDS ward and neighborhood. He asked her out on a date to go dancing. She said no, to which he responded, "I only ask once." But then he asked her again-and she turned him down again. And his response this time was: "I only ask twice." Well, he kept asking and she finally said yes to going to a dance. Not too long after, they were married on February 16, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple. In their early marriage, they still enjoyed going square dancing together.

About a year after the birth of her twin girls, Lois was hospitalized with polio in 1951. She spent time in an iron lung but recovered and had to learn to walk again. Marvin and her welcomed three more daughters into their home in Lehi during the 1950s. Tragically, they lost a baby boy, named Lyle, at birth in 1954.

In 1960, Lois and Marvin moved their family to Pleasant Grove, Utah. Five more children (including another set of twins) would join their family during the next decade. Somehow they managed to keep track of all those kids–even when the house was literally on fire. Lois ran back into their burning house to grab the baby out of the crib in 1962. Lois would often sew matching dresses for her seven daughters and outfits for her three sons. Loading up the kids in their station wagon and heading camping was a favorite way to spend time.

While raising ten kids, Lois also worked as a cook at the American Fork Hospital and continued to write poetry. In the late 1970's, she published her first book of poetry, titled "A Voice Within." She liked to say she was known for her "three p's": potato salad, pies, and poetry.

About 30 years into their marriage, Marvin was diagnosed with stomach cancer and passed away in August 1980. With five children still at home and a growing number of grandchildren, Lois became the lone leader of her family at the age of 50. Nevertheless, as she wrote in one of her poems, she decided to "just keep on keep'in on". And keep on she did!

Lois continued to fill her life with family, work, and poetry. Throughout the 1980s, she enjoyed being a guide for a tour company and narrating the sites for people. She always had a way with words, along with a great sense of humor. In the 1990's, she retired as a cook from the hospital. But after a few years, she got bored and decided to become a cook in the cafeteria of the new Mount Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah. Her potato salad was a sought after item on the menu.

Over the years, Lois published two more books of poetry. Her poetry was inspired from her experiences as a wife and a mother. Her poems covered a range of topics and emotions, including the funny mishaps of her children, the grief of losing a baby, and her testimony of the Savior. She was frequently asked to speak about and read her poems at various events. She had over two drawers filled with thank-you notes from all of her speaking engagements.

Into her later years, Lois kept dancing, camping, cooking, and entertaining her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. In her 80's, she was still getting up on stage to tap dance with her daughters and granddaughters. Around 2012 at the age of 83, she retired from full-time work as a cook at the temple. However, she continued cooking her famous potato salad and pies for most parties and events. Even though "Grandma Bump Bump" had a posterity of close to 150 people, she never seemed to miss sending a card or gift on a birthday.

Lois lived in her home in Pleasant Grove for 65 wonderful years, up until the last few months of her life. Though her memory faltered near the end, she continued to recite verbatim many of her favorite poems she wrote. She most certainly was blessed with a special gift as a writer and "a voice within" by her Heavenly Parents.

After 45 years of separation, we are excited that Lois is now reunited with her dear husband and dancing partner, Marvin, as well as other family members. We have no doubt she is continuing to share her three p's (potato salad, pies, and poetry) in Heaven.

In total, Lois is loved by 11 children, 38 grandchildren, 83 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Lois is survived by nine of her children: Maurene (Randy) Worthington, Darlene (Del) Scott, Becky (Vaughn) Boulter, Julie (Ken) Clark, Anita (David) Rose, Kent (Dusty) Jorgensen, Marie Balcer, Mark Jorgensen, and Chris (Brighton) Jorgensen. Lois was preceded in death by her husband (Marvin Jorgensen), her parents (George and Myrel Ricks), two siblings (Dale and Joyce), one daughter and son-in-law (Lisa and Myron Adamson), and baby son (Lyle).

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Though the path be up hill, and life tedious and long,

Trust in His love and just keep on keep'in on!

Excerpt from "Just Keep on Keep'in On"

A Voice Within, by Lois Jorgensen

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Services are under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Timpanogos Sixth Ward Chapel, 332 East 500 North in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The service will also be livestreamed on the Olpin Family Mortuary website and will be available to watch later as a recording on the same site. The interment will be in the Lehi City Cemetery following the funeral services.

An evening viewing will be held Friday, August 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Olpin Mortuary, 494 South 300 East in Pleasant Grove, Utah. A morning viewing will also be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, at the Timpanogos Sixth Ward Chapel.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.