Iver Lorenz "Whitey" Jorgensen

Iver L. "Whitey" Age 96 of Burnsville, MN. Passed away June 23, 2021 Survived by wife, Lis; children, Karen (Phil) Jorgensen Royce, Susan (Alan) Nielsen and Hans (Anna Duus) Jorgensen; grandchildren, Will (Jen Metz) and Lisa Nielsen, Kira and Leif Jorgensen Duus (Marissa Wolff); great granddaughter, Leni Metz. Celebration of Life Service 11 AM Saturday, September 4, 2021 (gathering from 10-11 AM) at St. Peder's Lutheran Church, 4600 East 42nd Street, Minneapolis. Born in Des Moines in 1924 to Hans and Petrea Jorgensen, Iver was an only child who enjoyed having many cousins in Iowa and remained close over the years. He soon gained the nickname "Whitey" because of his blond hair. He attended Grand View College, which led to life-long friendships across the country. Iver served during World War II as a weather observer, and returned to Grand View, Iowa State University, and the University of Nebraska (courtesy of the GI Bill). It was in Lincoln, Nebraska that he met Lis and they became partners in a marriage that lasted 70 years! Iver was a bean breeder who worked with vegetables all his life with Northrup King Seeds. He loved plants and all the developments to feed people. Gardening was his joy, and he kept that up in various places into his mid-nineties. Iver was welcoming and loved to laugh. He was known for his corny jokes, and he often got the punch line right. Children enjoyed his playful, caring presence, and he showered his grandchildren with joy. He was known for his bow ties, and for showing young men how to tie them. His Danish-American heritage wound through many of his relationships through St. Peder's Lutheran Church, the Danish American Center, Danebod Family Camps and Folk Meetings in Tyler, MN, Solvang, CA connections, and the the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, IA. "Life is good," and "A good learning experience" were some of his favorite phrases as he affirmed the goodness of this life. He was surrounded by loving family and friends in his final days, and savored good coffee, kringle, and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Throughout all the challenges of the last few months, what was endearing was his love and concern for Lis. We will miss him, with gratitude for his long influence on our lives. Memorials preferred to St. Peder's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Tributes

Iver Lorenz "Whitey" Jorgensen

September 26, 1924 - June 23, 2021

Tributes

Iver Lorenz "Whitey" Jorgensen

September 26, 1924 - June 23, 2021

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