1926
Helmer
2013
Helmer M. Jorgensen
July 20, 1926 — January 31, 2013
A memorial service for Helmer Jorgensen will be held Monday February 18th at 11:00 AM at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel. The Reverend Jeffrey Utecht will officiate, and taps will be provided by Mr. Gene Eiden of American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Mr. Jorgensen, 86, of Rochester, died Thursday January 31, 2013 at Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island.
Helmer Marsailles Jorgensen was born July 20, 1926 in Minneota, Minnesota to George and Alma (nee Pearson) Jorgensen. At the age of two Helmer's family moved to a farm near Marietta, Minnesota, and in 1943 Helmer was graduated from Marietta High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1945 and served until September 1948, having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. An air traffic controller, he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and Guam. Returning home he became employed in the packing and shipping department of Lily Mills in Marietta. In 1951 he bought the Orpheum Theater in Marietta and operated it 4 ½ years. Along with the theater he also worked at Zeigler and Dahle Construction. On August 10, 1952, in Montevideo, Minnesota, he married Donna Dee Jorgenson. Helmer began his career as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1956 in Minot, North Dakota. Transferred to Rochester, Minnesota in 1957, he continued as an air traffic controller until his retirement in the mid-1970s. He also sold Amway products from 1967 to 1999 and continued to work in construction over the years. Following his career with the FAA, Helmer returned to school, completing course work at Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute from 1974 to 1976.
He was a member of Evangel United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and was a member of Toastmasters for sixteen years, and served as one of its Area Governors for a year. With his wife, Helmer enjoyed square dancing and they were members of the M and C Square Dancers, and later they square danced with Roc-8s.
Helmer enjoyed woodworking, and took pride in creating pieces for his grandchildren. He built three replica airplanes, each complete with an eight foot wingspan, and they adorned the roof of the family's garage.
He is survived by his wife Donna Jorgensen of Rochester; two sons, Murray (Lisa) Jorgensen of Rochester, and DuWayne (Mary) Jorgensen of Effort, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Cynthia Wymore of Rochester, and Rebecca (Kevin) Hopkins of Ozark, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Molly (Ben) Duran, Dustin (Heather) Kingsley, Lindsey (Rusty) Darnell, Jennifer (Mike Royal) Jorgensen, Tina (Tim) Rudolph, Brandon (Kim Chapman) Jorgensen, Gina (Chad Hanlon) Keesler, Dominic Jorgensen, Robyn (Dustin Sundin) Wymore, and Jason (Coral Higgs) Wymore; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Dorothy Jorgensen, of Bellingham, Minnesota; and four nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin Jorgensen.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Pine Haven Care Center, Heartland Hospice, and Saint Marys Hospital. Also thanks to Evangel United Methodist's 2nd grade Sunday School class for remembering Helmer during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mayo Clinic's Foundation for Alzheimer's Research, Heartland Hospice, American Diabetes Association, or to a charity of the donor's choosing.
Online memorials are being welcomed and may be created at this website.
1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Helmer Marsailles Jorgensen was born July 20, 1926 in Minneota, Minnesota to George and Alma (nee Pearson) Jorgensen. At the age of two Helmer's family moved to a farm near Marietta, Minnesota, and in 1943 Helmer was graduated from Marietta High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1945 and served until September 1948, having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. An air traffic controller, he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and Guam. Returning home he became employed in the packing and shipping department of Lily Mills in Marietta. In 1951 he bought the Orpheum Theater in Marietta and operated it 4 ½ years. Along with the theater he also worked at Zeigler and Dahle Construction. On August 10, 1952, in Montevideo, Minnesota, he married Donna Dee Jorgenson. Helmer began his career as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1956 in Minot, North Dakota. Transferred to Rochester, Minnesota in 1957, he continued as an air traffic controller until his retirement in the mid-1970s. He also sold Amway products from 1967 to 1999 and continued to work in construction over the years. Following his career with the FAA, Helmer returned to school, completing course work at Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute from 1974 to 1976.
He was a member of Evangel United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and was a member of Toastmasters for sixteen years, and served as one of its Area Governors for a year. With his wife, Helmer enjoyed square dancing and they were members of the M and C Square Dancers, and later they square danced with Roc-8s.
Helmer enjoyed woodworking, and took pride in creating pieces for his grandchildren. He built three replica airplanes, each complete with an eight foot wingspan, and they adorned the roof of the family's garage.
He is survived by his wife Donna Jorgensen of Rochester; two sons, Murray (Lisa) Jorgensen of Rochester, and DuWayne (Mary) Jorgensen of Effort, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Cynthia Wymore of Rochester, and Rebecca (Kevin) Hopkins of Ozark, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Molly (Ben) Duran, Dustin (Heather) Kingsley, Lindsey (Rusty) Darnell, Jennifer (Mike Royal) Jorgensen, Tina (Tim) Rudolph, Brandon (Kim Chapman) Jorgensen, Gina (Chad Hanlon) Keesler, Dominic Jorgensen, Robyn (Dustin Sundin) Wymore, and Jason (Coral Higgs) Wymore; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Dorothy Jorgensen, of Bellingham, Minnesota; and four nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Alvin Jorgensen.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Pine Haven Care Center, Heartland Hospice, and Saint Marys Hospital. Also thanks to Evangel United Methodist's 2nd grade Sunday School class for remembering Helmer during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mayo Clinic's Foundation for Alzheimer's Research, Heartland Hospice, American Diabetes Association, or to a charity of the donor's choosing.
Online memorials are being welcomed and may be created at this website.
Visitation
FEB 18. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Service
FEB 18. 11:00 AM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
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