At the age of 95, Calvin Percy Jorgensen passed away on his daughter Nancy’s birthday- July 4, 2022. He had been looking forward to his son, Cal coming from Minnesota. He arrived just in time and he and his two children had a great visit earlier on the 4th.
Cal (Uncle Perc) was born in a small farm house near Idaho Falls, Idaho to Joseph Oliver and Mary Verlillie Jorgensen on October 11, 1926. He was the youngest of ten children and a total surprise to his older siblings. His family was very close. He remained in contact and was loved by many nieces and nephews.
Cal graduated from Idaho Falls High School during World War II. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served two years in Honolulu and Guam as a Morse Code Communicator. After World War II, he joined his brother, Lee at Utah State University, taking advantage of the GI Bill. He loved telling stories about playing basketball at Utah State with his brother. He graduated in 1950 and, because he was in ROTC in college, he served as an officer in the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in New Jersey and worked for IBM.
Cal ended up in Kalispell, Montana in 1956 where he raised his family and enjoyed the beautiful Flathead Valley while fly fishing and skiing. He initially was transferred to Kalispell as the manager of the Firestone Store, then later managed various businesses including Bell Manufacturing. He loved his group of businessmen he met with once a week.
Cal moved to Helena in 2002 and lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and John Emmert. He was well known around Helena as a Carroll College fan and a fun guy. His sense of humor and young vigor for life kept him going for many years. He fell and broke his hip in November, 2020 and spent his last two years in assisted living while still attending Carroll football games and family events including eating at his favorite hangout, The Brewhouse.
Cal is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings. He is survived by his son, Cal Jorgensen of Mahtowan, MN, daughter, Nancy (John) Emmert of Helena; grandchildren: Katie Jorgensen of Helena, Andrew Jorgensen of Minneapolis, MN, J.D. (Dina) Emmert of Bozeman, Tyler (Amy) Emmert of Helena; great-grandchildren: Zoie Jorgensen, Colton Ganser, Danyelle Emmert, Grace Emmert, Olivia Klemann, Taya Emmert, Kathryn Emmert, Madilyn Emmert, Hannah Emmert, John Emmert, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services with military honors will be held at 3 pm on Friday, August 12th at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
3:00 pm
Friday August 12, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
3:00 pm
Friday August 12, 2022
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Aaron Holm says
I will never forget our many Saturday morning conversations and stories at the brewhouse. He was an amazing friend. I will miss him dearly.
Heidi Barnes says
Cal will always be my favorite regular at the Brewhouse. I would tell the customers that we hired him to come entertain the bar. His stories and sense of humor were the best. He will be deeply missed by his Brewhouse family!
Rose M. Miller says
Cal, you will be so missed!! You deserve the rest & peace!! XOXO
Diane Hancey says
Always a fun time, with lots of surprises when Uncle Perc. was there. Will miss him at the family reunions. Bless you Nancy for such loving care over the past few years.
Tony Strainer says
Nancy and John,
So sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Winnie and Tony Strainer
Larry Hancey says
Always admired my Uncle Percy. Remember both Uncle Lee and Uncle Percy playing basketball at Utah State.
Although we never travel much in the same circles my memories of the Jorgensen Family and my mom {Delta Hancey) I always looked up to them and admired them all. I have great memories of Idaho Falls and some of the family reunions I was able to attend.
I alway remember making trips to Idaho Falls and visiting with Uncle Lee and Percy.
My best wishes to everyone.
Larry Hancey
2336 Nova Loop
Chino Valley, Arizona 86323
Teresa (Tess) Martin Chabot says
Cal, Nancy, and Family
Although you all have been gone from Kalispell for a long time, and our paths have not crossed since high school, I thought I would let you know what fun memories I have of your Dad and the Jorgenson family. The trips to Big Mountain, family times at Elks Rest, and all the fun and laughter we shared in those days. Cal was an icon in my family and in my memory as well.
I am sorry for your loss, and send my prayers for all of you.
Janet Thompson Lund says
Sincerest sympathy Nancy, Cal and families. Forever remember you all as special friends and neighbors. What a long, good life Perc had!! And what a terrific sense of humor!! Know he will be deeply missed. God’s blessings. Janet Thompson Lund
Josh says
Cal was an awesome guy with a ton of cool stories. Never forget his Halloween costumes either!!
Al Weed says
Cal, Nancy & Families,
My sincere condolences to you all. I have fond memories of skiing at Big Mtn. with you and your dad, despite the fact most of my time was spent upside down in deep powder. I can remember your dad (and you) giving me a hard time – jokingly- about my ineptitude. Very sorry for your loss.
Don Mann says
I was one of the Power Group with Cal that met once a week in Kalispell. He was always very positive and a joy to be around. He could tell stories like no one else, usually around his basketball history. I attended his 90th surprise birthday party and cherished all the love of Cal in that room. 6-7 ladies dancing with him at once !!! He sat with us for awhile, pulled out his billfold with all the “snipits” of jokes. Said “here, pick one”, and proceeded to tell several jokes to us. Cal was a very special person to me, a positive influence to my career, and an extreme privilege to have had him in my life as a friend. Rest in peace good buddy.
Danielle McClarty Feist says
John ad Nancy,
So sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories you have of your dad. All those great Saints football games you were able to share with a proud grandpa. A wonderful full life of 95 years that you were able to share with all your family is truly a blessing.
God bless.
Lisa Autio says
We lived across the street from Cal and Lenore Jorgenson in the 1950s in Helena, Cannon Street. It was a neighborhood full of puppies and dogs running around everywhere….we were good neighbors with Cal and the family, Cal always had funny jokes to tell. I know that Lenore also recently passed away, she was a funny, wonderful lady. My condolences to Nancy and Cal Jr.
Lisa Autio