Karen Jorgenson

Dates

Obituary

Karen Jorgenson, 80, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at her home under hospice care. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, April 18, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Friday, April 17, from 5-7:00 PM at the church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Karen Sue (Morrison) Jorgenson was born on July 11, 1945, to Floyd and Myrtle (Davis) Morrison in Mitchell, SD where they lived on the family farm. Karen attended Washington Grade School, which was a one-room schoolhouse across from her family’s farm. She then attended Mitchell Senior High where she graduated in 1963.

Following high school, Karen first worked as the secretary at First Lutheran Church for many years.

Later, Karen worked for her husband, Dave, as his secretary and Business Manager at his New York Life office; she worked for her in-laws, Norman and Helen Jorgenson, in the various restaurants they operated in Mitchell.  Following that, she worked a number of years in the chiropractic office of Dr. Bruce Johnson.

Karen continued her professional career at the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce where she climbed the ranks in her 22-year career until her retirement in 2009. At the Chamber, she started as a member of the support staff, moved on as the executive assistant to the Director and then to Project Manager; she finished her tenure as Assistant Director. In 1999, she was named The Daily Republic's Business Woman of the Year, which recognized her leadership and success on many committees and projects.  Karen was also part of the very beginnings of Dakota Fest. It was said that she was always thinking of other people, and that she was the backbone of the Chamber. Throughout her career, she was known for internal calm and depth in all her work at the Chamber.

Karen married David Lee Jorgenson on December 1, 1963, at First Lutheran Church, in Mitchell, SD. Theirs was an incredible marriage and partnership that lasted 63 loving years. Karen devoted her life to her husband, family, friends, church, and community. Her greatest pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. Karen and Dave made countless trips to Massachusetts to celebrate almost every birthday and holiday with their children and grandchildren. She loved to cook and bake and created many traditions for her family. The memories she created and the love and dedication given to her family, is her legacy.

Always active, she played in softball leagues, volleyball leagues, and was a dedicated runner.  Karen was an avid gardener who loved growing flowers, planting vegetables, and working in the sunshine in her amazing garden. With her lifelong love of music, she found so many opportunities to share it with others and take part in so many musical performances. She also found great joy in her Book Club and the many books they read and shared together, and even more, the friendships she gained and how it was such an integral part of her love of reading.

Karen always believed it was important to give back to her community, and she lived this belief through her involvement and dedication to so many different organizations. She was a devoted member of First Lutheran Church, ranging from secretary to leading youth groups, such as Living Spirit, to serving as a church board secretary. She volunteered with the Women of First Lutheran, PEO Mitchell Chapter, the YWCA, and the Lion’s Club, as well as helping with the Elk’s Club and the Exchange Club alongside her husband, David. She also served on the Wesley Acres Board and was President for many years. Throughout many years of service and involvement, Karen was a well-known and highly respected member of the Mitchell community.

Karen is survived by her husband, David; her son, Michael Jorgenson and his wife, Jaclyn, of Hanover, MA; her daughter, Lori (Jorgenson) Jacobs and her husband, Travis Jacobs of Quincy, MA; and her five beloved grandchildren: Rosie, Laila, and Daisy Jorgenson, and Dakota and Harley Jacobs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Myrtle Morrison; her in-laws, Norman and Helen Jorgenson; her brothers, Douglas Morrison and Walter “Sonny” Morrison; her sisters, Evelyn Walters, Mary Doering, Darlene Knudson, and Carolyn Morrison.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials can be directed to Karen’s family for a future memorial to be established through First Lutheran Church.

On behalf of our family, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for all of the kindness, prayers, visits, and support that has been given to us over the past many months, including such loving care from Sandy Murray, Faith Home, and Avera Hospice.

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