Obituary of Kathleen Anna "Kay" Jorgensen

Kathleen Anna (ne Swayne) Jorgensen, better known as Kay, was born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan to proud parents Henry Elvyn and Dorothy on July 12, 1933, the third of five children. Kay completed high school in Paradise Valley, Alberta then went on to a Home Economics course at the Agricultural College in Vermilion, Alberta. There she met the love of her life, Anselm Jorgensen, otherwise known as Yogi. She trained as a nurse at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, graduating with honours as a Registered Nurse in 1955. Kay married her Yogi in Lloydminster, Alberta on January 12, 1957. After the wedding, they drove to Dawson Creek with a truckload of grain and farming supplies and had their wedding dance at the Kilkerran Hall. They built a home on the family dairy farm at Mile 4.5 where they had 4 children in quick succession, Alvin in 1958 and Eric in 1959, Neil in 1961 and Ida Rebecca in 1963. Kay worked as a Registered Nurse at the hospitals in Dawson Creek and Pouce Coupe on and off for many years. Kathleen was happy and proud to be a mother and raised her children, instilling kindness first, then humour, manners and responsibility as she was raised. It seemed to her that hard on the heels of children came her very beloved grandbabies and great-grandbabies. After Yogi seriously injured his back, they sold the dairy and moved to Mile 10 on the Alaska Highway. Here they began many new adventures, including a 6 month RV trip across Canada in 1998 after Yogi had retired from the Peace River Regional District. In 1990, they moved into a home in Dawson Creek and then to Glenview Terrace where they purchased a condominium. Kay spent the last 2 years being very well cared for by the staff at Rotary Manor where she was visited frequently by friends and family, especially her Yogi. She was predeceased by her parents, Henry Elvyn and Dorothy Swayne and her siblings Arthur Swayne, Jim Swayne and Emily Howe. She is survived by her loving husband, Yogi Jorgensen; children Alvin (Theresa), Eric (Theresa), Neil (Arlene), and Ida Rebecca (Kevin) Casey, 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rebecca Henderson. Kay loved sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, playing the piano, gardening, birthday and holiday celebrations, hot dog roasts, playing cards and games, animals and most of all, her family. She had an infectious laugh and twinkling eyes and above all was kind and compassionate. Her deep and abiding love for Yogi and his love for her is a model for us all. A Celebration of Life was held January 19, 2017 at Bergeron's Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Pastor Cory Lizotte. Expressions of sympathy may be made by donation to Rotary Manor, 1121-90 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 5A3. Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd. Service 2:00 pm Thursday, January 19, 2017 Bergeron Chapel 10200-17th Street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 4C2