Gene D. Jorgenson
courtesy photo
Gene D. Jorgenson
WASHINGTON — Gene D. Jorgenson, 74, of Stanfield, Oregon, passed away on Sept. 17, 2023, in Kennewick, Washington. Gene and his twin brother, Jerry, were born on Aug. 17, 1949, in Hettinger, North Dakota, to James R. Jorgenson and E. Margaret Cummings Jorgenson. He moved to Arlee, as an infant and later to Polson. He graduated from Polson High School in 1967 and got a Business Education degree at Eastern Washington State College in 1971. While in college he met his wife of 52 years, Marjorie Schretenthaler Jorgenson of Spokane, Washington. They were married on March 27, 1971, and moved to Stanfield, where they raised two children, Jennifer and Brian.
During a 30-year career at Stanfield High School, Gene taught business education, drivers’ ed., and other courses. He learned Spanish to help his students learn. After retirement, he worked for Stanfield School District as their IT manager.
Gene was well-known and respected in the community. He served on the City Council for 28 years. He volunteered as a reserve police officer in Stanfield for several decades. He also worked part time as the clerk for Stanfield Fire District and later Hermiston Fire District. He was an adjunct professor at Blue Mountain Community College for 20 years, teaching accounting and other business courses. Gene taught First Aid/CPR for Good Shepherd Community Hospital. He recently served on the Stanfield Planning Commission. Gene and Marjorie were active at Stanfield Baptist Church, and later at New Hope Community Church.
Gene and Marj enjoyed taking vacations to visit family and to see new sites. After retirement, they traveled to fun destinations, including Washington DC, Germany, England, Las Vegas, Hawaii (often), and just recently the Holy Lands and Israel. Everywhere he went, Gene would start up a conversation with anyone and everyone. He had a way of making people feel valued. Gene was known for his keen sense of humor and was never shy about telling amusing stories and jokes to anyone who would listen, laugh or groan.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Darrel; and his twin brother, Jerry.
He is survived by his loving wife Marjorie; daughter, Jennifer (Matt) McConnell; son, Army Col. Brian (Megan) Jorgenson; and his sister, Rita (Bill) Pilgrim; grandchildren, Gavin, Ethan, and Levi McConnell and Moira, Isak, and Eli Jorgenson, and his widowed sister-in-law, June Jorgenson in Polson.
There will be a Celebration of Life in honor of Gene on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, 1350 S Hwy. 395 in Hermiston, Oregon, 97838. Donations in memory of Gene may be made to the New Hope Community Church Youth Mission Trip.
A private family interment was at Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.
Please share memories of Gene with is family at: burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
