Gene Arthur Jorgensen, age 78, passed away with family by his side on April 23 2022 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Hartford United Methodist Church (102 E 2nd St, Hartford, SD) with burial, military honors to follow at 1:30 pm at the Hartford Community Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Miller Funeral Home - Westside Chapel (6200 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD.)

Gene's life began on May 3, 1943, when he was born to his loving parents Orvald and Eileen Jorgensen, in Viborg, South Dakota. His family lived in Centerville, South Dakota before moving to Hartford, South Dakota, in 1956. Gene then graduated in 1961 after attending 4 years at Hartford High School. The following year he enlisted into the Army where he served 2 of his 3 years of Active Duty in Bitburg, Germany. Upon completing his tour in Bitburg, Germany, he and Dixie moved back to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1965. After his first military commitment, he continued to serve. Gene dedicated 7 years to the Army National Guard, and 10 years to the Air National Guard. To further his education, Gene attended at Sioux Falls College. Where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Biology. Upon completion of college, he taught Biology and Human Physiology at O'Gorman High School, and coached athletics. He held that position from 1969-1974. Following his teaching career, Gene worked for 18 years at Ames Corporation, a division of Miles Laboratories. His final position was working in sales for LifeScan of Johnson & Johnson for 10 years before he decided to retire in 2003.

On September 27, 1963 Gene married the love of his life Dixie Lee Fuller in El Paso, Texas. After being stationed in Germany, they moved back to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1965. Together they raised 3 children Toni, Todd, and Teri. Gene loved and cared deeply for his family. He was high spirited and outgoing with the most infectious laugh. There was never a dull moment with him around.

Gene had a number of hobbies including photography, making handcrafted picture frames, fishing, and camping. However traveling with Dixie was by far his favorite. They visited many National Parks throughout the United States, and visited Germany as well as many other countries. They made many life long friends along the way. He greatly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, and other activities. Gene and Dixie were such avid fans of Roosevelt High School Girls' Basketball. He founded the Whoosh Group which was later indoctrinated into the Roosevelt High School Athletic Hall Of Fame, and he was also an Arkansas Razorbacks sports fan. He also loved riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Gene was passionate about riding with the South Dakota Patriot Guard. He was a member of the Hartford American Legion, the Sioux Falls Post 15 Legion, and a member of the VA. Gene was proud of his time in the military serving his country and he was supportive of others who have done the same.

Grateful to have shared Gene's life with him are his wife, Dixie Lee Jorgensen; his children, Toni (Scott) Moffitt, Todd (Heather) Jorgensen, and Teri (Rod) Woods; his brother, Lyle (LeAnne) Jorgensen; his grandchildren, Ian Moffit, Geo Jorgensen, Treyson Woods, Tamryn Woods, Roderick Woods Jr., and Taiya (Spencer Naquin) Jorgensen; His great-grandson, Kaion Gene Alexander Naquin; and his sister-in-law, Virginia Jorgensen.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Orvald and Eileen, his brother Harold Jorgensen, sister Ardis and her husband Eldon Lunning.