Carolyn J. Jorgensen

Carolyn J. Jorgensen, 79, of St. Paul, died Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul, surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Revs. Rayappa Konka and Ray Kosmicki will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Mrs. Jorgensen was born on Nov. 25, 1936, at Lexington, the daughter of Raymond and Elenore (Weides) Buettner. As a young girl, Carolyn lived with her family in Lexington, Miller and Overton. In 1953, the family moved to Elba, where she graduated from Elba High School in 1955. She was united in marriage to Eugene A. Jorgensen on Sept. 17, 1955, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elba. The couple first lived in Grand Island, where Carolyn worked at JC Penney's. In 1956, the couple moved to St. Paul where they raised their seven children and lived the rest of their married life. Last Fall they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Carolyn began working at St. Paul Public Schools in 1971. She worked as a library aide until her retirement in 2002. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, its Council of Catholic Women and was active in the music ministry. She was also a former member of Catholic Daughters Sacred Heart Court of St. Paul and the Mrs. Jaycees. She was a longtime member of the St. Paul Country Club, a former Cub Scout den mother and currently belonged to a local book club and coffee club. Carolyn was an active volunteer in St. Paul for the Crisis Center, Howard County Medical Center and the Hospital Thrift Store. Carolyn loved golfing, sewing, scrap booking, shopping trips, traveling and reading. She also enjoyed family reunions and gatherings and attending her grandchildren's school activities and sporting events. She is survived by her husband, Eugene Jorgensen of St. Paul; her children and spouses, Mark and Karen Jorgensen of Johnston, IA, Brad Jorgensen of St. Paul, Denise and Doug Novak of Carlsbad, CA, Chris and Theresa Jorgensen of Parker, CO, Lisa and Randy Jerabek of St. Paul and Melissa and Dean Trampe of Amherst; 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Clarice and Gerald Luther of Omaha; and five brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Leslie Buettner of Henderson, Richard and Shirley Buettner of Norfolk, VA, Ronald and LaVonne Buettner of Lexington, Jack and Pat Buettner of Prescott, AZ and David and Lily Buettner of Surprise, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Steven Jorgensen on May 17, 2013. Memorials are suggested to Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Life Center.