Jorgensen, Dr. Gary Wayne (1941 - 2019)

JORGENSEN, MELLINGER, SORENSEN, MCILLWAIN, ANHEIER, TAGUE, OLSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 1/16/2020 at 16:33:08

Name of deceased: Gary Wayne Jorgensen

Aged: 78 yrs, 8 mo, 10 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: April 14, 1941; Carroll, Carroll County, IA

Died: Dec. 24, 2019; Harlan, Shelby County, IA (Parkinson’s Disease)

Funeral services: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019; Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan, IA; inurnment was in the Redline Cemetery, Rural Shelby County, IA

Survived by: Wife of 56 years, Camelia Olsen of Harlan, IA; son, Richard from Audubon, IA, Richard’s son, Ethan, and Ethan’s mother, Ann Mellinger, all of Harlan, IA; daughter, Rachelle (spouse, Todd) Sorensen and their children, Annika, Christian, Asta, Camela and Hoyt, all from Brentwood, TN; daughter, Christina (spouse, David) McIllwain and their children, Tague, Sophia, Estee and H, all from Hendersonville, TN; sister-in-law, Margaret (spouse, Paul) Anheier; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Harry Jorgensen and Melba (nee Tague) Jorgensen

Education: Attended Harlan (IA) High School where he played football, basketball, ran track and was on the first wrestling team; he demonstrated his acting skills when he performed pantomimes, was in plays and acted in skits during half times at basketball games. He sang in Harlan High School chorus and a in chorus for small groups. He graduated with the Class of 1960. He then attended Harding College in Arkansas in 1960-61 before enrolling at Palmer Chiropractic College, Davenport, IA and graduated in 1964.

Religious affiliation: Baptized by immersion as a young teen at the Harlan (IA) Church of Christ; was a member and leader in the congregation, teaching Bible classes, preaching sermons and leading the singing, which was his favorite activity. He served as elder from the mid 1980’s until 2015.

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: Camelia Olsen; June 2, 1963; Exira, IA, at the bride’s home

Employment: Began his chiropractic practice in 1967 and practiced for more than 40 years. At one time, Gary and Camelia owned a funeral home and had rental properties in the area. They purchased a farm east of Harlan on top of Rabbit Hollow Hill in 1991 and they moved there in 2006.

Hobbies/Interests: Gary and Camelia were known for their hospitality from family gatherings to neighborhood parties, from church get-togethers to reunions. Gary was a collector, including antique cut glass, fine china, guns, furniture, cars and old farm machinery. He loved local history and the stories of his family.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; burmeisterjohannsen.com