Ronald Jorgensen, 86, of Northwood, ND, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood. A public graveside service will be held Friday, August 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Northwood Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the North Dakota Funeral Honor Guard and the Northwood American Legion and VFW. A gathering of all friends and family will take place at The Hut Bar upon its conclusion.
Ronald Leroy Jorgensen, 86, of Northwood, ND, passed away on July 7th, 2024. Ron or Ronny was born on December 2, 1937in Mayville, ND, the second son of Elmer (Pete) and Luella (Guttormson) Jorgensen. Ron was born with a twin (Donald Elroy Jorgensen) who passed in infancy.
He attended Mayville High School and grew up on his Uncle Chris and Aunt Annie Hogfoss farm in the summers of his youth. At the old farmstead sits the threshing machine Ronny was a grease monkey on during these important summers. “I helped put that thresher right there,” was his comment when visiting the farm a year ago.
Ron entered the U.S. Army prior to his 18th birthday eventually being stationed in Churchill, CA. Specialist 3rd Class Jorgensen was honorably discharged 3-years later. He became employed by Hanson Transfer and later in 1960 by Uglem-Ness Co. where he worked for the next 42 years. Ronny was Service Manager for 25 of those 42.
He married Reva Paulson on February 13, 1960 and 5 children were born to this union. Ron enjoyed fishing on his free time, charring any roast, chicken, or piece of meat on a grill, Hee-Haw, any movie with horses or John Wayne in it, and fixing just about anything that needed fixing. To this endeavor, he even built the picnic style table his family dined at and many a friend had a libation at. Sixteen years a Northwood Council Member, 2 years the Fire Chief, a ND Lifetime Fireman, a founding member of the Liquor Board, and later, treasurer of Northwood Legion Post 92, public service was his gig. He took great pride in watching his children play sports and Minnesota Viking Football, and only wished he could have seen one Super Bowl team become victorious. A remote control or two were lost to a couple of these engagements.
Family members who survive include: Daughter Tammy Ree (Gavin) of La Crescent, MN, and sons Daniel (Jodi-Deceased) of Halstad, MN, Mitchell (Jenn) of Park River, ND, and Lon (Michele) of Mayville, ND. Others include sister Julie Anne Thompson of Hatton, ND and Grandchildren Brady, Casey, Taylor, Dalton, Grace, Gunnar, Skylar, Beau, Reeves, and Maddux.
Ronny was preceded in death by his wife Reva, son Marty, and brothers Donald, Red (Kathy), Laurel (Arlene-Deceased), Junior, Bobby (Janice), sisters Marlene Fugleberg (Lowell-Deceased), and Karen Watkins (Shelton).
May the Lord Bless Ron’s new life and grant him Peace. We miss you Pa…and we always will…till we fish again.
In lieu of flowers, donations and tributes are asked to be made in Ron’s name to: Mayville State University Foundation, Mayville, ND, or the Northwood Deaconess Hospital and Home, Northwood, ND.
Arrangements made with Bilden-Askew Funeral Home.