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Margaret Lewis Jorgensen

Jan. 31, 1939 - Mar. 22, 2023

Date of Service: Mar. 30, 2023

DECLO – Our kind, loving wife and mother, Margaret Lewis Jorgensen, an 84-year-old resident of Declo, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Margaret was born on January 31, 1939, to Wayne Oral and Alice (Stark) Lewis at the family home in Declo. She was the youngest of their four children. She attended and graduated from Declo High School and later from Brigham Young University - Provo, with a Secondary Education/Home Economics degree. She then taught Home Economics at Minico High School for a year.

Margaret served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands where she met Lee, who was also serving a mission. Once home, they began dating. They were married in Declo on September 5, 1965, and later sealed in the Manti Utah Temple.

They then lived in Payette for a time where Margaret was the Payette County Extension Agent. After that, Lee was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany, where Paul and LeAnn were both born. They were able to travel around Europe during this time. They eventually settled in Declo and over the following years Linda, Jeannie and Molly joined the family.

While the children were growing, she did a lot of sewing, was involved in 4-H and other community and church activities. Margaret began substitute teaching and soon became elementary certified. She taught kindergarten for many years in Springdale and later at Mountain View Elementary in Burley. She always enjoyed visiting with former students and their families. She instilled the importance of education to her children and they all have a college degree.

After retirement, Margaret and Lee served a mission at the Bishops’ Storehouse in Burley. One retirement highlight was when Margaret and Lee returned to Holland to tour and visit with people they knew from their mission. They kept their language skills sharp by speaking Dutch to each other, especially while keeping secrets from their kids.

Margaret had several talents and passed on skills of quilting, knitting, tatting and cooking to those around her. She also liked a good ball game, especially when it went into overtime.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Alice Lewis; her siblings and their spouses, Dorothy (Jack) Balch, Wayne Jr. (Veloy) Lewis, and Dick (June) Lewis; and grandchildren, Ethan Tinney and Addison Jorgensen.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lee Budd Jorgensen; children, Paul (Netta) Jorgensen of Arcanum, Ohio, LeAnn (Troy) Tinney of Creston, British Columbia, Linda (Karl) Smith of Reno, Nevada, Jeannie (Ken) Lew of West Jordan, Utah, and Molly (Marc) Oliver of Kaysville, Utah; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the DaVita Dialysis team, in Burley, for their loving care of Margaret these last three years

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Declo Stake Center, located at 213 W. Main St., in Declo. Burial will follow at Declo Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday, preceding the funeral, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/Qwfh5FUzukw.

Condolences for Margaret Lewis Jorgensen

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From Connie Mitchell:

I was blessed to work with Margret for many years as a kindergarten teacher. I always loved to run into Lee and Margret, they were so fun to visit with. Your mom was very special, your life will not be the same without her. Sending love and comfort.

From Troy rose:

My flags would have been out but the snow and wind takes a toll on them. I will fly them on Saturday in honor of her. She will be missed

From Mark Andreasen:

Mr. Jorgensen. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God will grant you peace and understanding. I will miss seeing Margaret at the dialysis center. I know that she is now free from having to do the things she had to do to keep moving along. No more dialysis and she is now with her loved ones and her Savior.

From Ron Osterhout:

Thanks so much for the video of the service. Judy’s health challenges made attending this morning quite problematic. From Declo school days to the present I have always enjoyed Margaret’s friendship. She & Lee could always cook up a delicious “rijs tafel” Indonesian dinner & visit a bit in Dutch. Our love and condolences to Lee & family. “Tot zientz” from Ron & Judy Osterhout.

From Ron Osterhout:

From Suzanne Cook:

Molly, and all the family, my heart is with you! It's hard to lose mom. May God bless you now and the days to come with comfort and good memories!

From Merilyn A Jorgensen:

For Lee and your special family-- I never feel sorry for the one who gets to "go", they are no longer in pain or suffering, but for those of you left with a hole in your hearts, I send love and sympathy. You have a sweet legacy together. Love to all from Aunt Merilyn

From RaNelle & Ron Knowles :

Margaret was such a fun- loving, talented gal! Even down to her last week she was checking the March Madness Basketball schedule. She always just moved forward no matter her dilemma. She endured well to the end , still showing love and concern for others! Our hearts are saddened as she has now graduated & continues to move forward. Know of our love & prayers for your family as you move forward to again be with her. May the Lord comfort you all & give you peace in the days ahead.

From Claretta Rittel:

Lee and family. So sorry to read of Margaret passing. She was such a great person. I am so glad that I got to het to know you both. My thoughts will be with you. I moved away so I will watch the service. Love to you snd your children. Claretta “Charlie” Shaffer.

From Mary Sue Smith :

We first new Lee and Margaret when they came to Germany with the Army. Margaret and I had a lot of fun running all over Germany and even let our Lees come with us if they were off.

From Thirza Ottley:

So sorry for your loss Lee, and family. We had lots of fun along the way. May the Lord Bless you in your loss.

From Mark and Verla Darrington:

Our sincere condolences to Lee and the family with the passing of Margaret. She always had a smile and a good story to tell! We loved visiting with her. We pray you feel the peace that she is well and happy with our Heavenly Father

From Lynette & John Lishman:

Lee and family, We are saddened by the news of Margaret's passing and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful supportive husband you were to her these many years, especially as her health declined. I loved her direct and honest approach to life and her sense of humor. What a legacy she has left. She will be waiting for you and watching over you until you are reunited.

From Barbara Barney Raff:

Thanks to Janice Johnson who informed me of Margaret's passing. We three were missionaries together in The Netherlands. I was Zuster Lewis' trainer in Utrecht during the bitter winter of 1962-63. I still have the little recipe book of traditional Dutch recipes she gave me as a farewell gift. I felt privileged to have such a talented, versatile companion, one who served faithfully without complaining when there were reasons to do so. My husband and I remember our visit in Lee and Margaret's home a few years ago when we were in Declo for a Singing Mountain Man show. Thanks also for keeping in touch, during the early years, with Christmas letters and missionary reunions. Prayers sent your way.

From Tim and Jana Darrington:

So many good memories of Margaret! She loved people and was a friend to all. She will be missed.

From Lottie Hurst :

Margaret and I were friends from school and neighbors most of our lives , she always was interested in what I was doing ,always a joke and a smile , will miss our chants and phone calls , sending my love and prayers of comfort to Lee and the family

From Frank and Karma Skinner :

Sorry for the loss. Many good memories of Margaret. I'm sure it's a great reunion on the other side.

From Merilyn A Jorgensen:

From Katherine Edwards:

So sorry for your loss Lee and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

From Della Berg:

Margaret and I became best of friends when I started going to Declo to school. We were Mutt and Jeff, her tall and myself short. Margaret was always so much fun she has such a wit and fun laugh. You can look in her eyes and they always had a spark of her wit. She loved and laughed, and was there for others. Margaret had so many talents, I always admired her.

From Linda Matthews:

To all the Jorgensen family. Such good memories of your mother. I just read about her passing. I would have loved to see you all. I hope you are doing ok Lee. And all of you. Love you all

From Kyle :

She was a wonderful person. The only time she got mad at me was when I asked if my father was still alive. Jokingly.

From Kay Johnson :

What a wonderful giving person she was. Our son Joshua was blessed to have her as his kindergarten teacher. They were the last kindergarten class at the Springdale school. She is greatly missed.

From Gaylen and Carolyn Smyer:

Our sympathy is with the Jorgensen family at Margaret's passing. She was a wonderful wife and mother. The community will miss this special woman who touched so many lives. She greeted people with a smile and wit. She loved her family and leaves a lasting legacy. May the Lord bless and comfort your family during this time of loss.

From JoEtta Patterson:

I lived just a ways from Margaret, we walked home from school and played in the ditch she was my first friend in Declo when I moved here. I am so sorry to here about your loss!

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