Orvis Jorgenson

Orvis A. Jorgenson, 92, of Webster and formerly of Waubay, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Bethesda Home in Webster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waubay. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery near Waubay.

Visitation will be 5-7pm Friday with a 7pm Scriptural Prayer Service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bethesda Home of Webster or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waubay. https://fb.watch/r35VJuHw6C/

Orvis (Winky) A. Jorgenson was born May 10, 1931, to Adolph and Laura (Ridd) Jorgenson at Webster, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at the Congregational Church in Waubay. He attended country school near the family home and graduated from Waubay High School in 1949.                        

In 1952 he was drafted into the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy Winky maintained a lifelong friendship with 2 of his Navy buddies, Merle Horstman and Henry Hunter where the families would periodically get together over the years.   He served for four years and was honorably discharged in 1956. Years later he received an Ambassador For Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea for his service.

Upon returning home from the Navy he began his lifelong career in farming. During his farming career he received an Outstanding Young Farmer award.

On April 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marcella Rumpza at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grenville. The couple made their home on a farm south of Waubay where they raised their five children, Jeff, Laurie, Jody, Amy and Cory. Orvis continued to farm until 1995, when the couple retired and built a new home in Waubay.

Orvis was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waubay. He was also a member of The Waubay American Legion.

After retiring and moving to town, Winky took up gardening, faithfully tending to it all summer.  He enjoyed hunting,  fishing,  and playing his favorite card game “Up the River”. He also did some traveling with family and friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren,  great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Orvis passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 92 years, 10 months, and 7 days.

He is survived by his children, Jeff (Sherry) Jorgenson of Watertown, SD, Laurie (Melvin) Bergman of Roslyn, SD, Jody (Jackie) Jorgenson of Webster, SD, Amy (Tim) Reynolds of Shawnee, KS, and Cory (Kris) Jorgenson of Canton, SD, 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and (1 on the way), and 2 great-great grandchildren and (1 on the way), his twin brother Orville and younger brother Ivan. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marcella, brother Marvin (Bob), sisters Mildred, Helen, Vanesse, and Grace, granddaughter Gracie Reynolds, and grand son-in-law Mike Wolforth.