Obituary of Melvin Ernest Jorgenson

Rev. Melvin Ernest Jorgenson entered into life on April 8, 1918 in Crookston, Minnesota. He went to be with the Lord on December 17, 2017 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona at age 99 and 8 months.

Melvin lived in Sheyboygen, Wisconsin from ages 5 to 10. He graduated from Crookston HS in 1936 and graduated from North Central Bible College (University), Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1939 with a BA in Theology. There he met then married the love of his life, Eleanor Groat, March 18, 1942. He had his first pastoral in Jackson. Minnesota and followed on to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota where Richard joined the family. With his calling to missions at the age of 13, he traveled to Brussels, Belgium in 1950 and on to the Belgian Congo in 1951, where Aldene completed the family. After the 3rd evacuations from Congo during the revolution, he transferred to Brussels, Belgium in 1964.

Melvin retired from missions, June 1999. He taught senior bible classes for 10 more years at Celebrations Church in Lakeville, Minnesota. His missionary work gave him a multitude of responsibilities, including helping establish bible colleges, churches, writing/translation of books/literature into Lingala and French, Teen Challenge, teaching, preaching, and helping others. He remained cool and calm under many life-threatening situations. Dad will always be remembered as a kind, gentle soul with a strong determination and conviction.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Jorgenson; eleven brothers and sisters.

Melvin is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Eleanor; children, Richard Jorgenson and Aldene (Todd) Birkeland; grandchildren, Sonja (Isaac) Bindert, Chad (Heather) Jorgenson, Christopher (Nicole) Birkeland, Rachel (Russ) Harper; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Hazel, Kaylee, Sydney, Emmett, Connor, and Lou.

A Memorial service will be at 2:00pm on January 27, 2018 at Abundant Grace Assemblies of God, 3516 N. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

At a later date, a Memorial service will be at Celebration Church Assemblies of God, 16655 Kenyon Avenue, Lakeville, Minnesota, 55044 and laid to rest at Dawn Valley Memorial Park, Bloomington, Minnesota.

Memorials designated to missions through Abundant Grace and Celebration Church preferred in lieu of flowers.

Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card to the family, go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.