Annie Jorgenson

Jorgenson – Ann Elnora of Swift Current, SK and formally of Fosterton, SK, passed away at the Meadows after a short illness on May 10, 2017 at the age of 100 years. Ann leaves to cherish her memory her five children, Noreen (Art) Sailer of Dawson City, Yukon, Dennis (Betty) Jorgenson of Medicine Hat, AB, Sharon (Eskil) Larson of Vernon, BC, Lyle (Gloria) Jorgenson of Prince Albert, SK, Elaine (Basil) Haydon of Cabri, SK; her ten grandchildren; her thirteen great-grandchildren; her two great-great-grandchildren; her brothers-in-law, Doug Young and John Holton; and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, James Jorgenson, in 2003; her parents, Hans & Carrie Langeland; her sisters, Ruby (Vern) Smith, Edna (Jock) Hunter, Hazel Young, Lyla Holton, and Florence (George) Sommerstad; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Roland) Bolander; and by her brothers-in-law, Edward (Rita) Jorgenson and Martin Jorgenson. Ann was born July 12, 1916 on a farm in the Cabri District of Westmount, SK, the third of six daughters born to Hans & Carrie Langeland. When she was 13, her family moved to the Fosterton area to farm where she attended Scotia School. Times were hard during Ann’s younger years. She helped on the family farm and was a nanny for their neighbors — a few of the children she babysat are now in their late eighties.  After a few years of courtship, James Jorgenson became brave enough to ask Hans for Ann’s hand in marriage. This was brave as Ann would be the first of the six girls to leave the nest, but Hans must have thought it was okay as he agreed to have James become part of the family. On May 20, 1937 Ann married James Carl Jorgenson and they raised five children on three quarters of land during some difficult years. They took over the Jorgenson homestead — which has been in the family for over 100 years — when James’ father, Jonas Jorgenson, passed away in 1942. They moved the big house down the hill to its present spot and set up to farm. These were lean years, but Ann made sure no one went without. She sewed the family’s clothes and made the most wonderful meals, some of her specialties were homemade bread, buns, and Lefse. She did all her own canning and grew a big garden every year, they also raised chicken, pigs and cattle. Until some of the children grew up and could help, she was also the hired hand on the farm and did all the wheat hauling in from the field. When the Scotia School, where all her children attended, closed in 1959, the children had to be bussed to Hazlet. James & Ann took on the job of driving school bus, which they did full-time until 1972. During this time, they had different size busses — the largest being a 46 passenger. Whenever James was seeding or harvesting, Ann would be the replacement bus driver — a very brave undertaking, to handle a large bus and the responsibility of taking care of all the neighbors young children as well as her own, especially during bad weather. In 1972, they purchased their winter home in Swift Current and spent their summers on the farm. This meant having two homes to take care of, but it worked out well for them. At Fosterton, Ann was a member of the local Fosterton ladies club for several years and attended many curling bonspiels in Pennant, Hazlet, and Cabri — often coming home with trophies. After moving to Swift Current, Ann joined a group of ladies to play Bridge once a month and they took turns entertaining at their homes. She joined the quilting club at St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church and made beautiful quilts for all her family, including her grandchildren. She also became involved with gathering information for the Hazlet history book. Along with a great group of ladies, they helped to create and preserve the history of the early settlers. In 1987, Doc’s Town wanted a couple to come and renew their vows in the church there. After 50 years of marriage, James & Ann, along with the original wedding party — Ann’s sister, Hazel, and James’ brother, Edward — renewed their vows in the presence of their children. Ann had always played music — piano, accordion, and a little violin — as her father was very musical, and all the six girls learned to play mostly by ear. Her first band was with two of her sisters, Edna and Lila, and June and Lois Berglind. They called themselves “The Wahoo Orchestra,” which later became “June’s Harmony Girls.” This was just the start of Ann’s musical career, she played with the Croteau band in Pennant, and many other bands in the local area. It wasn’t uncommon for her children to sleep on a pile of coats under a bench in the Pennant Hall while the adults were dancing and having a good time. After all her children had left home, Ann bought a multi-keyboard organ and started her own business of playing music for dances, weddings, anniversaries, and entertaining in lounges. Ann played all of her music by ear, she could see the name of a song and the key it started in and know which song it was. Before James passed away in 2003, they both loved to travel and fish in the summer. One of their favorite places was to drive or fly to the Yukon where their daughter, Noreen, and her family are mining for gold. These trips included visiting their other children along the way. They also travelled to Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Vancouver Island to name a few. As a family, they did a lot of camping in the mountains along with Ann’s sisters and their families. They had many wonderful family gatherings and celebrations over the years at each other’s homes, with lots of music being played as it was such a musical family. In 2009, Ann moved to her own suite in Riverview Village Estates and lived there until January 2017, when she fell and broke her hip. She was not able to fully recover, and had another fall in April. Our memories of her when she played piano for everyone at her 100th Birthday celebration is a treasure we will not forget. Ann was loved by all her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all. The Funeral Service for Ann Jorgenson was held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm from St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Linda Hall officiating. “Amazing Grace” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” were sung by the congregation, with Arlie Neufeld serving as organist. The special music and tribute was given by Renz Struik. The Private Interment Service will be held at a later date from the Cabri Cemetery, Cabri, SK. In memory of Ann Jorgenson, donations made to the St. Olaf Memorial Fund would be appreciated by the family.

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