Jerry Jorgensen

Gerald (Jerry) Jorgensen, age 72, of Gothenburg, Nebraska passed away February 22, 2010 with his family by his side.
Jerry was born at Curtis, Nebraska on May 19, 1937 to Carl and Fern Jorgensen. Jerry graduated from High School at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1955. He went on to serve in the National Guard. On May 6, 1956 Jerry wed his high school sweetheart, Marlene Yonkers. Jerry and Marlene had 53 wonderful years together. To this union they were blessed with two sons (Brad and Ross) and one daughter (Rana Williamson). In 1956 Jerry and Marlene moved to Gothenburg where he was employed by Jobman’s furniture. In 1960 Jerry took a job working for Paul and Jack Kniss at their Gothenburg Gambles store selling furniture and appliances. A lifelong friendship with the Kniss family was forged during his employment at the Gambles store. Jerry’s career took a dramatic shift in 1963 when he began a lifelong passion of sales and serving his insured’s working as an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance Companies in Gothenburg and Curtis, Nebraska. He established his first office in the 800 block of downtown Gothenburg and a satellite office in “Chucks” Barbershop in Curtis and later at Brown Brothers Automotive in Curtis, NE. Jerry’s Gothenburg office was relocated to its present location on 10th street in 1976. His Curtis office was moved to the Curtis Mall in 1983. Jerry never tired of helping insured’s and counseling them with their insurance needs. He enjoyed his job immensely and developed many friendships as a result of his 46 years in business which he never took for granted. Jerry’s passion was his family, loving and serving others at work and in the community, his love of Jesus Christ and his church. He and Marlene enjoyed attending Husker football games since 1980. Jerry was a good neighbor and a true neighbor as Christ taught.
Jerry was active in his community working on Chamber of Commerce functions and the City of Gothenburg Planning and Zoning Committee in his earlier years in business. Jerry especially enjoyed working at church in the Awana Program, serving on various church committees’ and teaching Sunday School. Jerry was a member of Gideon’s and was a board member on the Christian radio station KJLT in recent years.
Survivors include Jerry’s wife Marlene, sisters Shirley Todd of Scottsbluff, Beverly Benda of Hemingford, Carolyn (Sus) Peden of Gothenburg. Sons Brad (Janell) Jorgensen of Gothenburg, Ross (Julie) Jorgensen of Bakersfield, Ca, daughter, Rana (Keith) Williamson of Gothenburg. Grandchildren Jamie (Bryan) O’Donnell of Japan, Jeremy (Emily) Jorgensen of Lincoln, Heath (Lindsey) Carranza of Omaha, Jerrad (Cara) Carranza of Omaha, and Chris (Jessica) Carranza of Omaha. Alyssa (Casey) Lucas of Oakhurst, Ca., Ashley Jorgensen of San Diego, Ca., Amy Jorgensen of Bakersfield, Ca., Cory (Anna) Williamson of Lincoln, Ne, and Zane Williamson (special friend Michaela Stovall) of Hastings, Ne and 6 great grandchildren.