- Date Of Birth: September 11, 1924
- Date Of Death: November 4, 2014
- State: Illinois
Richard L. Jurgensen, 90, died Tuesday, November 4, 2014.Today we said good-bye to the earthly remains of my Dad, the Rev. L. Richard Jurgensen. Technically he wasn’t my dad, he was my father-in-law, but for all practical purposes he was my dad. Even with the ravages of cancer, hearing loss, and probably Alzhiemers, until his last week on earth, he loved to smile, talk, and eat sweet corn, cinnamon rolls, apples, and Snickers.
I will share some facts about him as a tribute: he was born September 11, 1924 & raised in Sioux City, IA, surveyor and postmaster for the Alaskan highway, Navy veteran WWII, St Olaf and Luther Seminary graduate, ordained Lutheran pastor for both parish (WI, IL, & OH) and campus (Minot St U, NIU & U of Chicago), ND State Senator, Dekalb County board member, emissary to China on apple development, beekeeper, goat rancher, photographer, philosopher, poet, & writer. He also enjoyed reading, symphonies, operas, his dogs, raising an orphaned baby moose, and collecting aphorisms.While his ashes will be scattered in trees near water, his earthly spirit and memory lives on in those who knew him. His heavenly spirit has entered into God’s Kingdom.
He is sitting in a magnificent orchard surrounded by golden retrievers, goats, moose, and a grizzly, with eagles soaring overhead. We love you Dad.He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, & wife Barbara (Bitting). He is survived by his daughters Janet Kjerne of Portland, OR, Marie (Dave) Volkers of Galesburg, son Peter (Mariza) Jurgensen of Boston, MA, grandsons Phil (Katie) Volkers of Austin, TX, Tomas & Lucas Jurgensen of Boston & a brother in TX.
