June Evangeline Jorgenson, 99
June Evangeline Jorgenson, 99, died March 10, 2021, at her home in Bigfork.
She was born June 28, 1921, in Minneapolis to parents Arvid and Mabel Westlund. As a little girl she survived having pneumonia, whooping cough and measles all at the same time. She grew up during the Great Depression, learning to be thrifty in a family of seven, and her practice of being frugal never left her. After graduating from West High School, Minneapolis, in 1939, the family moved north to Park Rapids, Minnesota. With the onset of World War II she worked as a real “Rosie the Riveter,” employed by Douglas Aviation in California. The week before her first paycheck she lived on a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter.
Returning to Park Rapids, she married Harold Jorgenson Oct. 28, 1945. Children Karen, Michael and Tony were born to June and Harold in Minnesota before moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1952. There, Dale and Kelly were born. In 1963 the family moved to Bigfork, purchasing 68 acres in Ferndale where Harold built their dream log home. In the early years in Bigfork, June worked for Harry Rose, cutting Christmas boughs on Crane Mountain, while the children were in school. June’s greatest joy was being the best homemaker she could be. She loved caring for her family — cooking, canning, gardening and always being there for her family. She loved family get-togethers, especially picnics.
Faith in God was very important to June and Harold, and they were always involved in church, being members of Bethany Lutheran, Bigfork from 1963 to the present. June, especially, loved to travel (and took several trips by herself when no one else could go along). Their many travels included a trip to Africa in 1995.
June was preceded in death by Harold, brothers Richard and Charles Westlund, and sister Harriet Green.
She is survived by sister Betty, daughter Karen Bradstreet, sons Michael, Tony, Dale and Kelly, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed but not forgotten. Her favorite Bible verse was the words of Jesus; “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for you souls.” (Matthew 11:29). Her favorite saying reads, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 16, at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, with a reception at the church following the service. June will be laid to rest at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Bigfork.
Memorial contributions can be given to Home Options Hospice, 275 Corporate Drive, no. 600, Kalispell, MT 59901, or Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911.
Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home of Kalispell.