Donald L Jorgensen

Donald L. Jorgensen, Bismarck, was called to our Lord on Sunday, March 19, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, March 23, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St., Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Becker officiating.Burial will be held at 10:00 am Friday, March 24, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 22, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 6:00 pm. Don was born in Kenmare, ND, on September 23, 1944. He was the youngest of 7 siblings and the only son. He graduated from Kenmare High School after which he attended the University of North Dakota where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy and his Juris Doctorate. Don married Caroleene Volk on August 5, 1967. They lived in Grand Forks while he attended law school. In 1971, Don entered the United States Army and was an instructor in the Army Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, AZ. In 1973, he joined the law firm of Reichart, Howe, and Hardy in Dickinson, ND. In 1983, he was elected as an Assistant State’s Attorney. In 1985, he was elected as District Judge with chambers located in Hettinger, ND. Don and his family lived in Hettinger until 1995 when he was transferred to the South Central District and they moved to Bismarck. He presided as a District Judge in Bismarck until his retirement in July 2014. Don was a living presence in all he did. He was involved in many community organizations including the Jaycees, Lions, Optimist Club, the Cancer Center, the North Dakota State Bar Association, the Heritage Center, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also an active member of the Corpus Christi Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Don was an avid reader, especially historical novels. He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking, listening to classical music, and traveling. He was an exercise enthusiast spending countless hours on his stationary bike and treadmill. Above all, he loved his wife and family. Don and Caroleene enjoyed traveling together, visiting family, and socializing with their many friends in Bismarck. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this coming August. Don was very proud of his children and grandchildren: Damon Jorgensen and grandson Gavin (Williston, ND), Heather Campbell and grandson Jack (Denver, CO), and Heidi (Brady) Burgess and granddaughter, Kate (Moorhead, MN). Don is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren; his sisters, Lola (Julian) Lunde, and Viola Rethmeier; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Elsie (Erickson) Jorgensen; his sisters, Opal Eide, Verna Petersen, Ruby Landers, and Rosella Jorgensen; his brothers-in-law, Louis Rethemier, Clarence Petersen, and Irwin Landers; his niece Karen Hanford; and nephew, Wyatt Feltman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Bismarck Cancer Center, 500 N 8th St., Bismarck, ND, 58501.