Alton ‘Roger' Jorgenson, 86, of Benson died Wednesday, January 11 at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud.

Funeral services were 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 16 at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson with Pastor Gary Brandenburg officiating.

Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo.

Alton ‘Roger' Jorgenson was born March 30, 1925 in Montevideo, Minnesota, the son of Engebret and Elise (Erlandson) Jorgenson. He was baptized and confirmed by Rev. Martin Lien at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Camp Release Township of Lac Qui Parle County. He grew up in rural Montevideo, attended grade school at District #21, and graduated from Montevideo High School with the Class of 1943.

Roger served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was an Airplane Armorer Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the European African/Middle East Campaign Medal with four Battle Stars, among other medals.

Shortly after the war, Roger met his lifelong partner, Bernita Joan Heieren. They were married October 30, 1949 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Baxter by Roger's brother Rev. J. Obert Jorgenson and Rev. Albert Holm. The couple was blessed with six children and 61 years of marriage.

They lived in several towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin during the 15 years Roger worked for Gambles Skogmo. In 1959 they moved to Benson, where Roger worked for the City of Benson as City Assessor for several years, and later for Swift County as Deputy County Assessor. He retired in 1987, and in his retirement, he served on Residential Options, Inc., a Senior Housing Board, for nine years; and volunteered as a van driver for Swift County Veterans Services for nearly 19 years. He was a member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and served as President of Swift County Court House Employees Union, Commander of VFW Post in Montevideo, and President of Region Six Minnesota Association Assessors. He served on the Swift County Benson Hospital Board and was a Boy Scout Committeeman.

He was a member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson and served as President of the Church, President of the Men's Brotherhood of ORLC and taught Sunday School. Among the things he enjoyed were 4-H, softball, hunting, fishing, Boy Scouts, and being with his family.

Roger is survived by his children: Jeffrey (Amanda) Jorgenson of Annandale, VA, Elizabeth (Jay) Kellner of Rice, Allen Jorgenson of Fargo, ND, Emily (Scott) Howley of Dallas, TX, and Jane (Kevin) Kellner of St. Augusta; 10 grandchildren: Daniel, Zachary, Ethan, Brandon, Jillian, Shane, Amelia, Sarah, Sofia, and Anna; one great grandchild: Hayla; siblings: Harriet (Jake) Diehm of Grand Rapids, MI, and Herbert (Jean) Jorgenson of Apple Valley; sisters-in-law: Elsie (Don) Holtan of Dawson and Dorothy Jorgenson of Montevideo; numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his wife Bernita in October of 2011; a son Marcus; a stillborn daughter, Janet; his parents; and siblings: J. Obert (Esther) Jorgenson, Kenneth (Florence) Jorgenson, Evelyn (Francis) Winslow, Harlan Jorgenson, Donald Jorgenson and Robert (Ruth) Jorgenson.