Wayne H.(Sorteberg) Jorgenson

Wayne H. (Sorteberg) Jorgenson, 77, died Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at Assumption Home in Cold Spring.  His memorial service will be at a later date.  Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville.  

Wayne Howard (Sorteberg) Jorgenson was born on June 1, 1942, in Madison, Minnesota, the son of Howard and Alma (Buck) Sorteberg.  After the death of his father, Howard, Wayne was adopted by his stepfather Gerald Jorgenson.  Wayne grew up on a farm without electricity, indoor plumbing, or phone and attended a one-room country school.  Wayne went on to graduate from Bellingham High School and then entered the Army National Guard.

On July 20, 1974, Wayne married Frances Pekarek. Soon after they moved to San Diego, CA where Wayne excelled at selling cars (mostly Volvos) receiving the #1 salesman award almost monthly.  He was excited when he got to ride one lap around the Indy 500 Race Track at one of his sales conferences.  Wayne had an inquisitive wandering spirit leading the family to again move to Medford, OR, Redding, CA, eventually to St. Cloud/Sauk Rapids, then on to Paynesville in 2002. 

Wayne played football in high school and enjoyed watching all sports.  He loved playing cards and traveling across the US by car.  Wayne had a passion for reading from a young age.  He owned book stores in Redding and St. Cloud where he built all the shelving.  He and Fran also wintered in Arizona for many years. 

Wayne is survived by his wife of 45 years, Fran; son, Bob (Sandy) of Colorado; daughter, Sue Mattern of Arizona; a grandson; brother, Jeff of Texas; sister, Nancy Behm of Colorado; and four nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Sorteberg, and Alma and Gerald Jorgenson. 

Eternal rest grant unto him in the place that God has prepared for him. 

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