A funeral service for Wally Jorgensen, age 88, of Spirit Lake, will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00pm, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Wally may be given directly to the Spirit Lake Fire Department, 2001 Peoria Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360.
Wally was born September 30th, 1936, on a farm in Wright County, Iowa, to Lincoln and Eva (Carter) Jorgensen on a farm near Holmes, Iowa. He attended school at Clarion, Iowa, graduating in 1953.
Wally married Sherry Boring on December 8th, 1956, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and they were together for 54 years. They lived in Eagle Grove until moving to Spirit Lake, Iowa, in June of 1958, when Wally began his career with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He was the manager of the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery until he retired in September of 1999.
Wally was very active in the Lakes Community, serving with the Spirit Lake Fire Department for 50 years, including 6 years as Captain, 19 years as Assistant Chief, 12 years as Fire Chief, and 8 years on the board. He also was very involved with the Dickinson County Trail Association as a board member. He served several years as a trustee for Dickinson County Cemeteries and the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District, in addition to serving on the board of trustees of the United Methodist Church. Wally was a former member of Northwest Iowa Ducks Unlimited and Masonic Twilight Lodge #329, serving on many of the boards and committees of these groups. He was a member of the Dickinson County Historical Society and Museum, serving as the organization’s vice president for more than 10 years. Wally additionally was a Winter Games Cheerleader in 2006.
Wally was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed spending his time hunting and fishing, along with running with his long-time running friends on Saturday mornings. But most of all, Wally enjoyed spending time playing games, hunting, having meals with his granddaughters whom he bestowed his love for the outdoors to.
Wally passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at Community Health Center in Hartley, Iowa.
Wally was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry; grandson, Jackson; brother, Jerry Jorgensen of Fort Dodge; and his two sisters, Sandy Cayler of Fort Dodge and Pauline Rier of Clarion. Survivors include son Brian of Sioux City, daughter Rebecca of Des Moines, granddaughters Olivia (Matt) and Alexa (Aaron) of Des Moines, and great-grandchild, Julian.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
