Helen Lenore Jorgensen, 94

Helen Lenore Jorgensen, known as Lenore, spent most of her adult life in the Flathead Valley. She was born on Sept. 14, 1928, in Logan, Utah, and was the oldest of three children to Dr. Alton S. and Ora Packer Hansen.

While living in La Junta, Colorado as a young child, Lenore’s mother became ill with a strep infection. At that time, antibiotics were not available and Ora unfortunately died at age 35 leaving behind her husband and three young children. Her father was a family physician and was called to serve as a doctor in the Army at the beginning of World War II. Lenore ended up living with several different relatives until she graduated from high school in Rexburg, Idaho, where she placed first in the high school state debate competition.

Lenore attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah where her loving maternal grandmother lived. Grandma Packer was Lenore’s rock and had a great influence on her. Lenore loved college life and was happy to be reunited with her sister Beverly in Logan, Utah.

In 1956 Lenore and her family moved to the Flathead Valley and she raised her two children, Cal and Nancy, in Kalispell. She made lifelong friends in her neighborhood as a stay-at-home mom. Lenore loved the outdoors and especially skiing. She instilled that love in her children spending every winter weekend at Big Mountain in Whitefish.

In 1964, after attending night classes, she started working at the Conrad National Bank (now First Interstate) in Kalispell. She began as a secretary and by the late '60s she had earned a position as the first female loan officer. She continued working at First Interstate Bank until her retirement in 1990.

Lenore is preceded in death by her husband Gene Hedman, with whom she shared a profound love and deep commitment for more than 35 years. After living in Whitefish and Arizona, Lenore and Gene spent their last few years in Helena.

Lenore is also preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Hansen of Madison, Wisconsin; her step-children, Debbie Hedman and Doug Hedman.

She is survived by her children, Cal Jorgensen and Nancy (John) Emmert; stepdaughter, Gina (Austin) Merrill, stepson, Dale (Annette) Hedman, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Lenore.