Mary K. Jorgensen

Mary K. Jorgensen, age 63 of Pierz, MN, passed away Friday, December 25, 2009 at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz with the Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating. Interment will be at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in Askov, MN. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 and Thursday from 8:00 A.M.-10:00 A..M. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz. Christian Mothers will pray at rosary at 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral chapel followed by Knights of Columbus Office for the Dead at 6:30 and parish prayers at 7:30 P.M. Mary Katherine Jorgensen was born August 7, 1946, in Owatonna, MN to the late Martin L. Otto and Arlene A. Phillips. She grew up in Kasson, MN. In her junior year of high school, Mary's family moved to Mantorville, MN where her family owned and operated Otto's Market. Mary graduated from Kasson/Mantorville High School with the Class of 1964. Following high school, she worked at the Mayo Clinic as a surgical pathology lab technician. Mary was united in marriage to Bennett (Ben) P. Jorgensen on February 17, 1968 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Mantorville, MN. The couple lived in Rochester, MN for two years then moving to St. Paul, MN for two years. In July of 1972, Mary & Ben moved to Pierz, MN, where she resided until her death. Mary was a stay at home mom raising her children. In 1986, she entered Brainerd Community College and later St. Cloud State University graduating "Summa Cum Laude" with a degree in Special Education. Mary substitute taught in the Pierz School District and taught GED for nine years in Pierz. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, playing cards, fishing and hunting. She was a member of St. Joesph's Catholic Church in Pierz. Mary was a 4H Leader for 35 years and along with her husband, Ben, did wildlife training for 4H at the state level for many years. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bennett "Ben"; sons & daughters, Joel E. (Joan) Jorgensen of Sierra Vista, AZ, Craig D. (Nadeen) Jorgensen of Washougal WA, Erica L. (Joseph) Brown of Rochester, MN, Kerry A. (Dan) Minnich of Minneapolis, MN and Kristen J. (Joe) Wegleitner of Stacy, MN; sister, Patricia A. (Gene) Wilcenski of Sun Prairie, WI; and grandchildren Jennifer Jorgensen, Jason Jorgensen and Ashley Brown. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to Unity Family Hospice of Little Falls, MN or Hope Lodge Operating Fund of Rochester, MN.