Ivan Jorgenson

Ivan Jorgenson, 92, of Waubay, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Bethesda Home in Webster.

Funeral services will be 10:30am Friday January 9, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Waubay. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 8, 2026, 4 to 7pm with a 6:30 prayer service at the funeral home.

Ivan Lyle Jorgenson was born on September 26, 1933, at Mrs. Olson’s Place in Waubay to Adolph and Laura (Ridd) Jorgenson. He was the youngest of eight children. He was baptized at the Congregational Church in Waubay. He attended a country school for grade school years and completed grades 7-12 at Waubay School, graduating in 1952.

After high school, he farmed with his dad and brothers. On September 27, 1953, he was united in marriage to Margaret Zubke at a candlelight service at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple was married for almost 72 years. They were blessed with eight children, four boys and four girls. Ivan and Margaret lived on the family farm until December of 1954, when he was drafted into the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas receiving the sharpshooter pin. In June 1955, Ivan, Margaret, and Kim (their firstborn son) moved to Falls Church, Virginia where he was stationed at Ft. Meyer. Ivan cooked for 2,000 military personnel in a consolidated mess hall. After his honorable discharge in December of 1956, they returned to the Jorgenson homestead taking over the dairy and grain farm. He farmed for many years until his son Kurtus took over in 1999. For many years he continued to help on the farm. In 1988, he was very proud to add a new house to the farm. Ivan and Margaret continued to live there until entering Bethesda Home together on May 14, 2025. Margaret passed away September 14, 2025.

A strong work ethic was important to Ivan. He instilled the value of hard work in his children, teaching them to complete necessary farm chores that began early in the morning and often lasted until late in the evening. Daily life revolved around milking cows twice a day, and he took great pride in his Charolais cattle.

During his retirement years, Ivan enjoyed devoting his time to his vegetable garden, proudly showing off his harvest and teaching his children and grandchildren the “right” way to grow a garden. This passion naturally extended into the kitchen, where he enjoyed cooking and trying out every new gadget he could find. Another of his great loves was music- especially country music and a bit of Mollie B Polka Time every Saturday night. He was also fortunate to share many enjoyable bus trips with Margaret.

Ivan cherished time spent with his family, always encouraging his children to come visit and urging them to stay a bit longer. He took great pleasure in sharing stories from the “good old days”, including how, while in the army, he could crack two eggs in each hand at the same time and how he even mastered the art of cutting pie as well. He enjoyed hunting-but absolutely no fishing!

Ivan passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 92 years.

He is survived by seven children, Kim (Gloria) of Waubay, SD, Kevin (Julie) of Waubay, SD, Kurtus (Donna) of Waubay, SD, Susan (Ferdy) Zirbel of Ortley, SD, Sherrie (Mike) Larson of Summit, SD, Nancy (Duane) Zimmerman of Yankton, SD, Paula (Brad) Cap of Yankton, SD, daughter-in-law Kathy Jorgenson of Waubay, SD, 54 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren- with seven on the way, six great-great grandchildren- with two on the way, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret, son Kenyon, grandson Benjamin Jorgenson, granddaughter Erin Jorgenson, great-granddaughters Aubrey Wampler and Josephine Grajczyk, and great grandson Josiah Day, three brothers, Marvin, Orvis, and Orville, and four sisters, Mildred Engelhart, Vanessie Jost, Helen Gulbranson, and Grace Foltz.