Marlene Jorgensen

Marlene J. Jorgensen, 85, of Gothenburg, died September 24, 2022 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Marlene (Yonkers) Jorgensen was born in Hayes County, Nebraska to Anthony Benjamin Yonkers and Lucy Delia (Brownell) Yonkers on July 24, 1937.  She spent her childhood growing up on a farm near Hayes Center, Ne and later the family resettled in the Maywood, Ne area. Marlene graduated from high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska in May 1955.  A year after graduation, on May 6, 1956, Marlene wed her high school sweetheart and life companion, Gerald F. Jorgensen, in Curtis, Nebraska.  Marlene and Jerry made Gothenburg their lifelong home.
This union was blessed with three children Brad, Ross and Rana.  Marlene kept busy raising their children and helping Jerry at his State Farm Insurance business at various times during Jerry’s 46 year career.  Marlene was active in church helping with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  In her later years she helped in the Awana program at the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church (Cornerstone Bible Church).  She enjoyed church very much and the lifelong friendships it brought into her life.  She enjoyed attending her children’s high school activities.  Marlene was a lifelong Nebraska Cornhusker football fan attending games with Jerry during the Tom Osborne coaching years. Marlene was an active walker and enjoyed walking in the country and in town with friends. One of her other joys in life were her grandchildren. She enjoyed babysitting and playing “Numberland” and “Spinner” with them as well as attending cross country and trap shooting events.
Marlene is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Carl and Muriel Yonkers of Maywood; sisters-in-law Carolyn “Sus” Peden of Gothenburg, Shirley Yonkers of Maywood and Betty Yonkers of McCook and three children, Brad (Janell) Jorgensen of Elkhorn; Ross (Julie) Jorgensen of Bakersfield, Ca; Rana (Keith) Williamson of Gothenburg.
Marlene’s grandchildren are Jamie (Brian) O’Donnell of Lincoln; Jeremy (Emily) Jorgensen of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Heath (Lindsey) Carranza of Omaha; Chris (Jessica) Carranza of Omaha; Alyssa (Casey) Lucas of Oakhurst, Ca; Ashley Jorgensen of San Diego Ca; Amy (Jay) Ferris of Bloomington, Indiana; Cory (Anna) Williamson of Lincoln; Zane (Amanda) Williamson of Kearney. Marlene is also survived by 14 great grandchildren.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Lucy Yonkers, four sisters: Maxine Nichols, Ceone Farmer, Joan Housman and Dorothy Jean. Brothers, George Yonkers and Cletus Darwin “Darky” Yonkers. Husband, Jerry Jorgensen and grandson Jerrad Carranza.
The Jorgensen family would like to thank Dr. Aaron Salomon and Dr. Anna Dalrymple at Gothenburg Health for their care of mom.  In addition, we would like to thank the staff at Stone Hearth Estates and Hilltop Estates for their compassionate and loving care of Mom.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 1:00 - 7:00 pm with the family present from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Graveside Services will be held at Gothenburg Cemetery, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 11:00 am with Pastor Scott Newman officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, NE.

Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Senior Center, 410 20th St, Gothenburg, NE 69138.