LuVerne Jorgenson

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 7, 2008

LuVerne E. “Lefty” Jorgenson, 85
LuVerne E. “Lefty” Jorgenson, 85, of Austin died on Aug. 6, 2008 at the Austin Medical Center.
He was born May 8, 1923 in Albert Lea, Minn., to Einer and Lillian (Schiager) Jorgenson. He graduated from Albert Lea High School. He served in the Army from 1943 – 1946. He married Norma Stalheim on Sept. 10, 1948 in Albert Lea. He worked as a Federal Meat Inspector first for Wilson Foods in Albert Lea, then for the Rath Company in Waterloo, Iowa and finally for the George A. Hormel Company in Austin until his retirement.
LuVerne was an avid professional boxing fan and began collecting autographed photos of professional fighters when he was 16 years old. He continued to directly correspond with professional fighters, managers and promoters until the 1990’s, eventually amassing an impressive collection of autographed photos and a wide array of autographed boxing memorabilia.
He was a 26-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and died a sober man through God’s grace and the AA program.
LuVerne is survived by his children, Fran (Duane) Charnecki, Austin, Dr. Michael (Cynthia) Jorgenson, Bloomington, Minn., Jerry Jorgenson, Minneapolis, Minn.; granddaughters, Sarah Klawitter, North Branch, Minn., Jodi Jorgenson and Matt Roth, Minneapolis, Minn., Kellie Jorgenson, Bloomington; great-grandchildren, Lauren Klawitter, Marren Klawitter, Jacob Roth, Ethan Jorgenson; brother, Kenneth Jorgenson, Albert Lea, Minn.; sister, Delores Lenzen, Knoxville, Tenn.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Norma in 2003.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside committal service on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 at 1 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery south of Austin. Olaf B. Damm Post #1216 Veterans of Foreign Wars in charge of military rites. Memorials are preferred to the Austin Alcoholics Anonymous program 1504 10th Drive SE Austin, MN 55912. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in charge of arrangements.