Deborah Jorgensen

Deborah Louise Jorgensen passed away on January 12, 2021. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio November 10, 1935. Debby was a retired registered nurse of UT Medical Center and an open-hearted woman who is preceded by her brother John and parents Ralph and Lucielle Chism. She was a member of the Oasis Institute since 1995. Debby is survived by her devoted husband Milford Jorgensen, the love of her life. He fell hopelessly head over heels for her after just a few dates and proposed; a proposition that took her a few more dates to accept. They remained the only couple of their High School to marry, and had 64 years together in wedded bliss. She is also survived by daughters, Joan (Curtis) Wells and Anne Victoria; sons, Ned (Brenda) and Matt (Jamie) Jorgensen; grandsons David Wells, Braden Wells, Andrew Jorgensen, Blake Wahlert; granddaughters, Amy Wells, Ashley Bash, Rachel Emmert, and Cade Louise Jorgensen. As well as ten great-grandchildren and counting, every one of which adored her. Her admiration for other people can be seen in her frequent trips with her husband across the country to visit friends and family. They made a habit of consistently retaining relationships with old friends. They always ensured to attend high school reunions in Guthrie Center, Iowa where they first met and fell in love. Connection to the past was important to her as she meticulously plotted family genealogy. She’d often retell the life stories of our ancestors over holiday meals. The sanctuary of memories she represented will be dearly missed. Often found with a book in her hand, Debby was an avid reader and true lover of literature. Her vast collection of books ranged from Agatha Christie mysteries to classics like The Canterbury Tales. Her passion for stories branched out into the wider community reflected by her years of service volunteering for the Friends of the Knox County Public Library. For Deborah, there was nothing she took more seriously than compassion. She was an animal lover, an inherited family trait called, “The Chism Curse.” Everyday she made sure to buy food for the wild racoons who’d graciously feast on her back porch offerings of sliced bread and bananas. She’d scramble to catch any desperate insect lost inside her log home gently with a tissue so she could then release it to the outdoors. She treated every form of life with love, respect, and dignity. Friends and family may call at their convenience 11:00am-6:00pm Friday, January 15, 2021, at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel. Due to concerns surrounding Covid-19 the funeral service will be livestreamed Saturday, January 16, 2020 at 1:00 PM and may be viewed at www.facebook.com/hallslivestream. Family and friends will meet 1:45pm Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Greenwood Cemetery for a 2:00pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Young-Williams Animal Center and Friends of the Knox County Public Library. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com