Edwin L. Jorgenson

Edwin L. Jorgenson, age 77, of Colton, died on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at Terrace Manor in Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. Thursday, with the family present from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton. Memorial services will begin at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 31, 2008 at First Lutheran Church in Colton. Burial will precede the service at 1:00 P.M. Friday at St. Ansgar Lutheran Cemetery, rural Colton.

Edwin Lawrence Jorgenson was born on February 21, 1931 at Dell Rapids to Lawrence and Anna Aagot (Hildahl) Jorgenson. He grew up on a farm near Baltic, graduated from Lyons High School and attended one year at South Dakota State College in Brookings. Following his education he began employment at Tri-State Transportation in Sioux Falls.


On October 3, 1953, Edwin married Dorothy Simunek at West Nidaros Lutheran Church near Crooks. Following their marriage, the couple farmed and lived near Lyons and later Fairview, South Dakota until finally settling on Edwin’s great-grandparent’s farm near Colton. At this time he began his 37 year employment with Sweetman Construction doing road work. Following his retirement in 1995, Edwin kept busy working with Sioux Valley Electric and the Tri-Valley School District.


Edwin was a member of First Lutheran Church in Colton, Elks Lodge in Madison, Taopi Township Board and the Tri-Valley Booster Club. He also restored and showed Minneapolis Moline Tractors and was a member of the Siouxland Collector’s Club. Edwin had many hobbies which included hunting with his son and grandson, playing cards and games with family and friends, and traveling. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following his grandchildren’s sporting activities.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dorothy of Colton; son, David (Brenda) Jorgenson, Colton; daughter, Lori (Allen) Pibal, Ft. Collins, CO; grandchildren, Ross Pibal, Damon Jorgenson and Breanna Jorgenson; brother, Don (Bonnie) Jorgenson, Blue Springs, MO; sisters, Audrey (Jim) Nugent, Bella Vista, AR and Elaine Jorgenson, Dell Rapids; and many other relatives and friends. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Nicholas.