Donald Jorgensen

Don was born April 21, 1925 at Perry Iowa, the son of Hans "Jigg" and Margaret (Schramling) Jorgensen. The family moved to Aberdeen, SD, where Don attended school from kindergarten to Northern State University. He enlisted in the Navy Air Corp at the V5 program for flight training and served for 3 and half years; two years in the southwest Pacific. He received the Flying Cross and two Air Medals, plus a commendation from Admiral Nimitz. Don stayed in the Active Reserve for four more years after his discharge. Upon discharge he married Olive Hirsch of Aberdeen, and has two children Margaret "Peg" and Jeffrey; four grandchildren and two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
In Aberdeen he opened and operated Jorgensen Men's Shop from 1949 until 1958; he was active in Northern State and many civic affairs. They moved to Wahpeton in 1958 where he owned and operated Jorgensen's Variety until 1973. Don and Jack Pfister opened Music City stores in 1966 and had stores in Wahpeton, Bismarck, Minot and Sioux Falls, SD; he also sold jewelry on the road for Anthony Eric Jewelry Co. for 12 years. Upon selling Music City stores, Don went into real estate sales with ERA Lorenz Agency in 1987 and for Action Realtors for the next six years. On July 10, 2002 Don married Marlene (Bragg) Farley, spending the remaining time of his life traveling and enjoying the company of their good friends and family. Don also started working for the Southeast Senior Services in 2006.
Don was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, and was active in the Wahpeton community serving as president of Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce, president of Bois de Sioux Golf Club, Board of Directors of ND Retail Association, and Chairman of Urban Renewal Commission, president of Downtown Development Corp., and board member of Community Development Corporation. Don will be remembered for his zest for life, his warm smile and his engaging personality.
Don is survived by his wife Marlene, Wahpeton; his daughter, Peg (John Marinello) Walters, Boca Raton, FL; his son Jeff (Mollie) Jorgensen, Minot, ND; grandchildren; Tana (Rob) Brennan, Amesbury, MA; Joel (Sara) Ferguson, Plymouth, MA; Lisa (Dane) Fosburg, Mossy Rock, WA; Krista Jorgensen, Minot; Ron Marinello; great-grandchildren: Ryan and Rowan Brennan, and Dillan Fosburg. He is also survived by the extended Bragg Family.He was preceded in death by his parents.