Marjorie Jean Jergenson

Funeral Link. https://youtu.be/qXJEqhDgG_0 Celebrating God’s Grace in the Life of Marjorie Jean Jergenson Marjorie Jean (Schei) Jergenson was born in Minneapolis, MN, on February 11, 1923 to Alden and Gladys Schei, and died on September 11, 2020 at the Friendship Home Community in Roseville, MN. Marge was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls in 1937. At that time, the scripture verse from Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” challenged her to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. She realized God had a purpose for her life, and she wanted to follow him. Her teen years at Camp Emmaus and Luther League greatly impacted her life. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1941, she attended the Minnesota School of Business, then was employed as a secretary at Northwest Airlines. She felt the need for deeper Bible knowledge, and left the airlines to attend the Lutheran Bible Institute, graduating in 1946. While at LBI, her mission vision was enlarged as she worked part-time as secretary to Dr. Hjalmar Swanson, head of missions for the Augustana Synod. Her call to foreign missions was solidified at LBI as she met missionary Adolphus Gunderson, Director of the Sudan Mission, Cameroun, West Africa. On July 25, 1947, Marge married Pastor Conrad Jergenson, whom she had met during his ministry at Trinity from 1943-45, and who likewise felt called to serve in Africa. Both were accepted as missionaries, studied French in Paris, and arrived in Africa in 1949, where they began and developed the first Bible School among the Gbaya people at Baboua, in the Central African Republic. Marge taught the catechists first in French and then in Gbaya, the tribal language. She produced much literature by kerosene lantern, on primitive duplicating machines. Her 55 students shared nine existing copies of the Gospel of John until Marge produced the first Gbaya workbook, translating Henrietta Mears’ study of the Gospel of John into both French and Gbaya. Her lessons were often produced the night before class. She met weekly with Chief Baboua, his wives and children. During those early years in Baboua, God blessed Marge and Connie with the birth of Allen in 1951 and Steve in 1953. In 1956 Marge welcomed her dear mother, who spent 10 months with the family at Baboua. How precious for the family and for her to spend time with her two grandchildren before they left for boarding school. Her mom met the Gbayas for whom she had prayed, and she never forgot the warm Gbaya hugs received during her stay. Following two terms in Baboua, the Jergensons moved to Meiganga in Cameroun to teach at the first Seminary. During their years in Meiganga, David and Marcia joined Allen and Stephen, and became part of the famous “Missionary Kids” family. In addition to being a loving Mom, Marge taught the wives of the seminarians and local Gbaya women, and continued the production of books and miscellaneous literature. She encouraged the translation of “Pilgrim’s Progress” into the Gbaya language, edited the copy, then wrote a dramatic presentation and traveled with over 30 women to present the drama in outlying villages. During their years in Africa, Marge and Conrad had 5 children: Allen, Stephen, Gary, David and Marcia. Gary died shortly after birth. Marge treasured each child as a wonderful gift from God and loved them all dearly, considering them the great “accomplishments” of her ministry in Africa. She often said the hardest part of missionary life was separation from her children as they left for boarding school. She was so grateful for the teachers and faithful house-parents who became “surrogate parents,” teaching and nurturing the children daily. She counted her missionary years with Conrad as a great privilege to share the Gospel with the Gbayas. In 1971 Conrad accepted a call to the Albion Lutheran Church in rural St. James, where they spent eight wonderful years. They “retired” to Minneapolis in 1979, and in 1980 Conrad was asked to again join the staff at Trinity, where he had first met Marge in 1943. (He continued on staff another 25 years until age 91.) Conrad and Marge were active members of this precious congregation, which accepted them as “family.” During those years, Marge had the joy of welcoming dear spouses and grandchildren as their family grew. Marge entered the computer world while she was in her late 60’s, producing 5 books about their African experiences, as well as other miscellaneous writings. Her life story is appropriately titled (tongue-in-cheek) “The Incomplete Works of Marge Jergenson.” She was an avid photographer who loved to travel and document by photo and transcript her adventures in many countries abroad. Thanks to Steve’s flight privileges, their circle of friends quickly became international. She filmed and produced over 30 slide and filmstrip presentations for use in churches. During her travels, she also distributed many Gospel recordings in the language of the country visited. Marge loved camping and the beauty of the forests, mountains and streams. During her teen years and beyond, she enjoyed canoeing, especially in the Boundary Waters, site of their honeymoon! Her love of the outdoors helped prepare her for rustic living in Africa, and she never complained about the mud floors and grass roofs of their first homes. Marge loved people and truly thanked the Lord for the many friends at home and abroad who graced her life and put a song in her heart. Her sense of humor and love for the Lord have left us with many precious and joy-filled memories. Marge was preceded in death by her husband Conrad, parents, infant son, Gary, brother Don and sister-in-law Helen Schei. She is survived by her children: Allen (Jeri), St. Cloud, MN; Steve (Maggie), Omaha, NE; David, Madison Lake, MN; and Marcia, Mpls.; 5 grand-children: Tessa and Douglas, St. Cloud, MN; Molly, San Francisco, CA, Casey, Gunnison, CO and Ryan, Schleswig, IA; and niece Barb Heki, Johnston, Iowa. Marcia’s Jack Russell terrier, “Ninja,” had wormed his furry little self into her affections these latter years as well. Marge, with real joy, looked forward to being with Jesus, and prayed that the circle would not be broken. She has passed “from death to life” because of Jesus, and is forever young.

Tributes

Marjorie Jean Jergenson

February 11, 1923 - September 11, 2020

Tributes

Marjorie Jean Jergenson

February 11, 1923 - September 11, 2020

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