Conrad Jorgenson

FUNERAL SERVICES: 7 PM Thursday, July 17, 2008 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. A second service will be held at 2 PM Friday, July 18 at the Artichoke Lake Baptist Church north of Correll, MN. VISITATION: One hour prior to the service. INTERMENT: Artichoke Lake Baptist Cemetery SURVIVORS: His wife, Mary Ann of Nevis, MN; his six children: Charles (Lynda) Jorgenson of Billings, MT, Kenneth (Kelly) Jorgenson of Columbus, MT, Glenn (Cindy) Jorgenson of Helena, MT, Carolyn (Dan) Smith of New Hope, MN, Joel (Debbie) Jorgenson of Estherville, Iowa and Paul (Robin) Jorgenson of Hutchinson, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; ten brothers and sisters: Milton Jorgenson of Clinton, MN, Vivian Christopherson of Plymouth, MN, David (Jeanne) Jorgenson of Ortonville, MN, Grace (David) Haas of Plano, IL, Daniel (Joanne) Jorgenson of Ortonville, MN, Patricia Kies of Woodstock, IL Ronald (Ludy) Jorgenson of Apple Valley, MN, Corrine (John) Nebbin of Norwood, MN, John (Deanna) Jorgenson of Apple Valley, MN and Susan (Gordon) Schulte of Canton, SD; PASTOR CONRAD JORGENSONNovember 5, 1931 " July 9, 2008 Pastor Conrad Jorgenson, age 76 of Nevis, MN was promoted into the presence of His Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, dying peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones following a valiant battle against cancer. Conrad was born on November 5, 1931 to Spurgeon and Hilda (Swenson) Jorgenson on the home farm in Big Stone County, MN. He attended country school near his home and went on to attend high school at the Morris Agricultural School from where he graduated with the Class of 1951. Conrad served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1954. On November 3, 1956, Conrad was united in marriage Mary Ann Duncan at the Artichoke Lake Baptist Church north of Correll, MN. The young couple engaged in farming nearby. In 1959, Conrad was called into full time ministry and sold their farming operation in the fall of 1960. They moved to Owatonna, MN where Conrad began preparing for the pastorate at Pillsbury Bible College. While studying at Pillsbury, he also worked as the maintenance supervisor for the college to pay for his education and provide for his family. In 1965, Conrad accepted his first full time pastorate in Maxwell, Nebraska. He also pastored churches at Artichoke Lake, Madison, WI and Akeley, MN. Conrad began new churches in Joliet, MT and Nevis, MN. Other areas of his ministry included Christian Dells Bible Camp Director at Decatur, Alabama, Mission Pastor and Director of a Mission Agency in Sellersville, PA and teacher at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI, as well as serving as maintenance supervisor for the college. Conrad also provided for his family by doing carpentry work, building new homes, and served as maintenance supervisor at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch at Billings, MT for several years. Due to health issues in the family he retired from full-time Christian service in 2004. Conrad"s passion in life was winning souls. He loved to invest his life in people and to lead them to an eternity with Christ. His life of ministry bears witness to have made a real difference in the lives of countless people. He was a voracious reader of God"s Word and was a disciplined prayer warrior. He also loved the out of doors. Each spring he would look forward to planting a large vegetable garden which he would nurture into fruitful abundance to share with his family and friends. He enjoyed working with his hands and enjoyed working on woodworking projects with Mary Ann. He was loved by many because of his sincere love for the Lord and his serving and caring spirit for others. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife for the past 51 years, Mary Ann of Nevis, MN; his six children: Charles (Lynda) Jorgenson of Billings, MT, Kenneth (Kelly) Jorgenson of Columbus, MT, Glenn (Cindy) Jorgenson of Helena, MT, Carolyn (Dan) Smith of New Hope, MN, Joel (Debbie) Jorgenson of Estherville, Iowa and Paul (Robin) Jorgenson of Hutchinson, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; ten brothers and sisters: Milton Jorgenson of Clinton, MN, Vivian Christopherson of Plymouth, MN, David (Jeanne) Jorgenson of Ortonville, MN, Grace (David) Haas of Plano, IL, Daniel (Joanne) Jorgenson of Ortonville, MN, Patricia Kies of Woodstock, IL Ronald (Ludy) Jorgenson of Apple Valley, MN, Corrine (John) Nebbin of Norwood, MN, John (Deanna) Jorgenson of Apple Valley, MN and Susan (Gordon) Schulte of Canton, SD; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles. Funeral services will be held 7 PM Thursday, July 17, 2008 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Conrad"s son Pastor Joel Jorgenson and Pastor Jim Pearce officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM prior to the service. A second service will be held at 2 PM Friday, July 18 at the Artichoke Lake Baptist Church north of Correll, MN with Pastor Joel Jorgenson and Dr. David Smith officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. At both services, Mr. Al Henderson will be the organist. Sharon Huffman and Amy Hawn will sing "What A Day That Will Be". Sharon will also sing "Unworthy". The congregational hymns will be: "I"ve Found A Friend" and "Amazing Grace". The casket bearers will be: Chad Jorgenson, Ande Jorgenson, Edward Duncan, Daniel Huffman, Doug Muklebust and Dale Edwards. Interment will be made in the Artichoke Lake Baptist Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided at the graveside service by the Clinton, MN American Legion Post. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.