Charles Frederick Jorgenson, 90, went home to live with Jesus on April 5, 2016, at Touchmark Memory Care Center in Helena, Montana. Chuck was born April 27, 1925, to Fred and Rose (Anderson) Jorgenson in Helena the youngest of three children and the only boy.
Chuck lived most all his life in Helena. His brief absences were for a stint with the U.S. Naval Air Force in 1945, when he learned to fly, and the summer he and his wife Jean managed the Butte Country Club.
He met his forever partner, Nola Jean Harker, while he was cooking and she was waiting tables at the Montana Club. Having just returned from air force training and going to work with his father, Chuck was delighted to find a most attractive brunette sashaying through the kitchen doors. The Montana Club patrons enjoyed watching the budding romance. Chuck & Jean were married January 17, 1948 and their reception at the Montana Club was a huge celebration attended by folks from all walks of life.
His working years were spent in the food business. During their early years at the Montana Club, a desire to work for themselves led Fred and Chuck to open Jorgenson’s Catering & Grocery
on South Main in 1954 along with Chuck’s sisters and their husbands. The business was a family affair and stories abound of catering at bull sales, private dinner parties, Civic Center banquets and picnics, along with cooking many holiday turkeys. Some of the best times were the weekend buffets catered at John Quigley’s Frontier Town. The popularity of the Jorgenson food and hospitality brought out Chuck’s entrepreneurial spirit and he the family decided to build Jorgenson’s Restaurant and Lounge. Opening in 1958, it was once again a family centered business. Chuck and Jean, his sisters Lucy and Ruth along with their husbands, Calvin Rush and Don Larson worked together to make Jorgenson’s a renowned dining establishment. After almost 60 years of operation, Jorgenson’s is still in the family thanks to Lucy’s daughters Barbara Morris and Bonnie Andrew.
Hunting and fishing were two of Chuck’s favorite ways to relax. He and his father spent many hours wetting flies on the Little Blackfoot and flushing pheasants with their labradors on the Missouri River bottom land (before and after Canyon Ferry Dam was built).
Chuck and Jean went on to raise 4 daughters and enjoy 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. They retired from Jorgenson’s in 1987, and spent most of their retirement years at their home on Hauser Lake.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Rose, sisters Lucy and Ruth, and his infant son, Dane Frederick Jorgenson.
He is survived by his lovely wife Jean, daughters and their spouses, Deborah (Ron) Jorgenson-Anderson, Chris (Steve Lohning) Jorgenson, Nola (Trent) Synness, and Erin(Bill) Monnett. Grandchildren Nathan O’Neill, Lindsey (Kyle) Martin, Kira Loken, Rye Loken, Oden (Laurie Barrett) Synness, Noell (Anna) Jorgenson, Talon and Kale Monnett. Great Grandchildren John O’Neill, Stella, Holden and Vivienne Martin, Oden Barrett, twins Cobi and Corbin Synness, and Lily Jean Jorgenson.
The Jorgenson family would like to thank the caregivers at Touchmark Memory Care Center for making the last few years as comfortable and happy as possible for Chuck.
A memorial service for Chuck will be at 2:00pm, Tuesday, April 12 th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 East 6th Avenue, Helena. A reception will immediately follow the service at Jorgenson’s Restaurant, 1714 11th Avenue. The graveside service will be at 11: 00 am, Wednesday, April 13th at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 7100 North Montana Avenue, Helena.
Please visit below to share a memory of Chuck or to offer the family a condolence.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1714 11th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday April 13, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1714 11th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday April 13, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
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Verna Waddington says
So sorry for your loss….God enfold you all.
Terry Bass says
A great father, husband and individual. May he rest in Peace and God bless all the family. Hope his pies make the Angels happy.
Susan bass proul says
Jean and girls, I’m so sorry to hear of chucks passing. Many fun memories made while growing up next door. Keep all those memories close in your hearts and he will alwAys be with you. Keeping you all in my prayers.
~Roxanne Pittman says
So grateful for Uncle Chucks life and all the fun adventures & tasty food he presided over at family reunions by the lake. Such treasured memories. He will be missed for sure.
Kevin Olson says
I am so sorry for your loss, but Chuck would be proud knowing his legacy is in the right hands with Barb, Bonnie, husbands Steve and Drew not to forget the illustriousy Jorgies crew. May God wrap his loving arms around you during these trying times. Rest in peace Chuck… Godspeed
Dan Harker says
I have many wonderful memories with the whole Jorgenson crew, the lake house, all the meals gathered with our huge family during family reunions…all under the watchful eye of Uncle Chuck and one of his labrador companions. The twinkle in his eye always gave me the confidence I wasn’t in trouble and all was well. I’m so thankful to hear about his trust in Jesus. My prayers are with Aunt Jean and all my cousins in the Jorgenson crew. Blessings…
Joe (Darryl) Harker says
Charles played role of father/uncle/brother and counselor in my life. He and my sister Jean provided a home and encouragement for me during my high school years. After Mary & I were married, while in college, Chuck and Jean once again stepped in to supply “left over food” for us to take back to Missoula. The Harkers would have a family reunion in even numbered years, sixty or so people would show up at their lake house for a three to five day event. Charles, pipe in hand, smile on his face and a twinkle In his eye, accepted it all with good humor. Jean, daughters and all the rest of us were fortunate to be a part of his world.
Diana Macaraeg-langenfus says
The old days at the Montana Club is where my father became life long friends with Chuck and the whole Jorgenson family. I can remember Easter Sunday breakfast, my father was in the kitchen visiting Chuck or Don Larsen and the bunch. What a wonderful legacy!
SYLVIA and Jerry says
Deb we are thinking of you and would love you to know that we Love you and are real sorry for the loss of your Dad❤️❤️~~We are on our way back from Arizona~ Hugs to you ❤️❤️
Beth Stanfill says
Nola, Trent and family. I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Jorgenson. Prayers to you Nola and your entire family.
Gwen Harker Poole says
What a wonderful tribute to Uncle Chuck! So many fond memories of our trips to Helena and family reunions!! His pipe, waffles, love of his family and dogs, teasing with a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face, conversations sitting side by side, the lake, the restaurant, early mornings, sprinklers on the lawns… He was a wonderful, generous, loving and welcoming man and so very loved!! Thinking of and praying for each of the family!! Love you guys so very much!! Uncle Chuck will be greatly missed!!
Christine Parker says
Sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my prayers.
Kelly Schroeder Rhimer says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in the family. And the memories I have are all wonderful
Have a safe journey
Nona Sloan Patterson says
Sorry to here of Chuck’s passing. Wonderful man to with and for. Love to Jean and all the family.
Nona Sloan Patterson says
Work with and for