Marlene M. Jorgenson

Marlene (Michalski) Jorgenson

Caring mother and sister, compassionate nurse, Devils Lake, ND community supporter, kind friend and brownie baker.

Marlene died in St. Louis Park, MN on December 5, 2022 of Alzheimer’s disease at age 83.

Marlene Marie was born August 7, 1939, in Minto, ND to Alec and Sophia Gerszewski Michalski. Marlene was the fifth of eight children in her Polish Catholic family. She graduated from Minto High School in 1957.

Marlene attended The Sisters of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Grand Forks. While working as a registered nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital, she met an ambulance driver and University of North Dakota law school student, Lewis Creighton Jorgenson. Marlene and Lew were married August 28, 1962, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto.

Marlene and Lew moved to Devils Lake in 1967 and raised children Anne, Lynn, Eric and Beth. Marlene was an engaged and loving mother who volunteered as a scout leader, school volunteer, sewed skating costumes and cheered on hockey games. She valued her career and worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital, Lake Region Clinic, Good Samaritan Center, Lake Region District Health Family Planning and Hospice.

Friends recall Marlene as a dedicated member of the Devils Lake community where for forty years she selflessly shared time as a volunteer. Marlene was active in St. Joseph’s Church and School serving as a eucharistic minister, singing in the choir and as a member of the parish council and school board. She was a member of the district 15 Republicans and attended district and state conventions. She was a member of the Shakespeare Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and as an avid bridge player she enjoyed the social and competitive aspects of several bridge clubs. She loved the performing arts and was a long-time board member of the Community Concert program, Chautauqua and Fort Totten Little Theatre.

Marlene moved to Grand Forks, ND in 2009 and connected with longtime friends and enjoyed St. Michael’s Church and cultural arts programs. In 2017 she moved to St Louis Park, MN to be near her children. In a new community, Marlene’s warmth brought many new friends and she loved a monthly dinner with fellow North Dakotans at Parkshore community.

Marlene’s life is celebrated. She loved trips to Minto, ND where she and her sisters enjoyed Liverpool Rummy card games. Marlene was happiest with Lew and her children at the cabin. And she loved friends. She was quick to share a cup of coffee and delivered pans of her beloved frosted brownies during good and challenging times.

Marlene is preceded in death by her husband Lew. She is survived by daughter Anne Jorgenson Green and husband Martin, Bismarck, ND, daughter Lynn Barnhart and husband Shawn of Minneapolis, MN, son Eric Jorgenson, Bloomington, MN and daughter Beth Dahlien and husband Matt of Edina, MN.  Marlene’s grandchildren include granddaughter Margy Prozinski and husband, Blake of Devils Lake, Elizabeth Green, Bismarck, Henry Barnhart, Minneapolis, Maddie and Peter Dahlien, Edina, great granddaughters Serena Green, Eden and Estella Prozinski. Marlene is survived by sister-in-law Sonja Mammola, Baltimore, MD, sisters Jackie Michalski, Englewood, CO, Vicki Flanders and husband Dean, Grand Forks, brother Ken Mitchell and his wife Mary Burke of Dewey, AZ, sister-in-law Lil Case and brother-in-law Dave Fertig.

To celebrate Marlene’s love of music and community, memorials are directed to the Devils Lake Elks Community Band, P.O. Box 757 Devils Lake, ND 5301.

Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 17. A prayer service will be at 6pm Friday, December 16 at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.