JORGENSEN, Ralph M. 1906-1983

JORGENSEN, HEPFE

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson (email)
Date: 6/26/2006 at 19:13:07

Funeral services for Ralph Jorgensen, 77, who died at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center October 14, 1983, were held October 17 at the First Lutheran church here with the Rev. Thomas Hughes officiating.

Ralph M. Jorgensen was born on a farm north of Osage August 29, 1906. He was baptized May 29, 1907 and confirmed in 1920 at the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, Iowa.

He spent his early childhood on the family farm, attended the Pleasant Valley school six miles north of Osage, and high school in St. Ansgar. He then spent several years on the farm, also doing some carpenter work.

In 1942 he was inducted into the Army, took schooling in an Army and Navy hospital to become a surgical technician.

He went overseas in July 1943. There he was assigned to hospital duties in Casa Blanca. French Morrocco, Mateur, Tunisia, Rome and Naples. He remained in Naples working in a 2500 bed hospital until after the war, with a total of three years and six months of service.

Ralph then returned to his parents home near St. Ansgar and was a carpenter for several years. Later he was emplyed at the Iowa Soldier's Home as a maintenance man. He left there about seven years ago to live with his brother, Victor, in Osage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rasmus and Julie Jorgensen. He is survived by one brother, Victor; one nephew, Robert L. Jorgensen and one niece, Phyllis Hepfe.

Burial was in the St. Ansgar cemetery.

[ based on obituary in the St. Ansgar Enterprise, Oct. 20, 1983 ]