Having bid farewell to large number of family and friends with
simplicity, Christian hope, and a unique resolve which stunned even
those who knew him best, Kenneth Lee Jorgensen of Curtis, NE, departed
this world just before 6 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the age of
88 years and 11 months.
Ken was born to Richard Emerald and Mable Irene (Hecht) Jorgensen on
April 21, 1933. Kenney and his brother, Harvey, grew up on the family
farm north of Curtis. He attended country school through the 8th grade
then went to the state agriculture high school in Curtis, graduating in
1951.
After farming two years with his dad, Ken served stateside in the U.S.
Army from 1953-1955. He met and married the love of his life, Marlys
Rae 'Marty' Detrick, at Hastings College, December 1956. They had four
sons, Victor Todd in 1957, Randall S. in 1960, Richard Jon in 1963, and
Kevin Lee in 1967.
Having received a B.S. in mathematics, the family then moved to
Atchison, KS, where Ken worked as a draftsman and estimator at L.F.M.
(Locomotive Finished Materials) then as city Building Inspector. In
1966, he accepted a job with the city of Lawrence in Kansas, again as
Chief Building Inspector.
1974 brought the family back home to Curtis where Mom and Dad purchased what became the Jorgensen Building Supply and Curtis Irrigation. They sold the business in 2002 and retired to winters in Arizona and summers gardening on top of the hill at the family home. Ken and Marty especially enjoyed their retirement years and friends in Florence, AZ, from 2002-2018.
Ken's enjoyment was flying airplanes, a passion which began early in the
1950's when he, his brother and father all earned their private
licenses. He was active in church and community events. Ken was a
loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Marty; sons, Randy (Allison) of New Castle,
CO, Rick (Anna) of Vail, AZ, Kevin (Kari) of Columbus, OH; his brother,
Harv of Lexington; eight grandchildren, Beth, Amanda, Abigail, Samuel,
Julia, Makayla, Ethan and Rachel; three great-grandchildren, David, Luca and Rosten; and many other family and friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; baby sister, Grace; son, Vic;
and grandson, Todd Abraham.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Grace
Community Bible Church in North Platte. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of
Maxwell. For those unable to attend, services will be recorded and
posted to odeanchapel.com. Online condolences may be shared at
odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge
of arrangements.