In Memory

David Jorgenson

David W. Jorgenson passed away Sunday, July 16, 2006 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on the Beartooth Highway July 14th. Dave, the third child of four, was born in Billings on September 11,1949 to Don and Loretta Jorgenson. Dave grew up in Billings where he graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1967.

Dave graduated from MSU-Bozeman in 1971 with a degree in economics where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He began his banking career at First Interstate Bank where he was First Vice President and then spent three years at United Tote, Inc. as Senior Vice President. In 1992 Dave became the Chief Executive Officer of what would become Western Security Bank, until he retired from banking in 2001. Dave was active in several civic organizations including Billings Deaconess Foundation, the Rimrock Foundation, St. John’s Lutheran Home Foundation where he was a Chairman, and a member of the Church Council at American Lutheran Church.

While attending MSU, Dave met Helen Hartsell and they were married September 2, 1972 in Valier, Montana. They were blessed with two lovely daughters Kara and Kristen. Dave and Helen concentrated on raising their daughters and living life to the fullest with many trips and activities. In December 1995, after 23 years of marriage, Helen succumbed to leukemia and Dave devoted the remainder of his life continuing to raise his beautiful daughters.

Their family cabin in Red Lodge became a gathering destination for the entire extended family beginning in 1987. While spending time at the cabin, the family, including Birkie their yellow lab, enjoyed backpacking, skiing, hiking, and the call of the wild! Dave found tremendous peace and solace at the cabin in his later years. On one of his many adventures in Red Lodge, he met a wonderful vibrant woman from California, Lynda Lane. On May 25th, Dave dropped to one knee and proposed. As an engaged couple, they shared a great love, truly enjoying each other’s company and the life they were building together.

Dave also spent a tremendous amount of time helping his older brother, Jim, on the family farm in Broadview. He operated the combine, tractors, fenced, and was always at odds with the rattlesnakes. He always offered advice although he claimed he was only “the hired hand.”

Dave’s memory will be cherished by his daughters Kara Hubbard and her husband Matt of Missoula; Kristen Jorgenson of Billings; his fiancee, Lynda Lane of Newport Beach; his parents, Don and Loretta Jorgenson of Billings; his mother in law, Ruth Hartsell; his brothers Jim (Julie) of Broadview and John (Kelly) Berthoud Colorado, and his sister Donna Spain of Bozeman, along with eight nieces and nephews.

Dave was a man of uncompromising values, whose dry sense of humor was enjoyed by all. His enthusiasm for life was enhanced by his true devotion to his girls and all those around him. Dave left us while pursuing one of his many passions, riding his Harley Davidson Fat Boy through the Beartooth Mountains where he was always at peace.

As a testimony to his character it was his wish that in the event of his passing his organs be used to benefit those in need of life saving procedures.

“It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”