Catherine Jorgensen

Catherine (Kate/Katie) Florence Jorgensen died of complications of Alzheimer's (3/23/17) while in hospice care in her Widefield home. Kate was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota to the union of Florence and E.V. (Sam) Baldwin August 8, 1939. #3 She attended South Dakota parochial schools and eventually, graduated from Loretto Heights College with a degree in nursing in 1960.

Kate was a pediatric hospital nurse, then an office nurse and later a Widefield School District special-education nurse. During the tumultuous 1960s Kate interrupted her nursing career to raise four energetic children as well as her obstreperous husband Don. #12 Due to these efforts, friends and family members often referred to her as Saint Catherine. Kate retired from her cherished nursing career in 1994.

She embraced life with an inexhaustible zeal, maintaining an uncountable number of unconditional love affairs with family and friends!

Her numerous hobbies included gardening, playing bridge, oil painting, and crafting, as well as tennis and golf, but perhaps her favorite was sunbathing or driving her little blue 25th anniversary sports car! #4 Kate immersed herself completely in marriage (Don George Jorgensen - 1961) and motherhood, but truly relished grandmother! Her proudest life accomplishment was watching her four children, James Michael Jorgensen (Zeller/Kimberly), Patricia Elizabeth Jorgensen (Snowden/Rock), Katha Marie Jorgensen (Snow/Scott), and Tom Baldwin Jorgensen mature into loving, caring, well-balanced adults. #1, #2, #12 However, she was most joyful when surrounded by her six grandchildren, Cara Jorgensen, Mitch Snow, Sam Jorgensen, Trevor Snow, Tessa Snow, and Maggie Jorgensen!

Kate was a devout Catholic and maintained a lifelong adoration of the Holy Family, particularly the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her personality was void of "issues" such as criticism, envy, and remorse, but jampacked with qualities such as consideration, selflessness, and compassion! Because of "Katie the Lady" our world was an incredibly better place for those fortunate enough to be within her hugging range! #1 & #3

Kate was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Mary Lou Vidal/Galyardt and Margie Elizabeth Wiegand.

The family is ever grateful to the numerous individuals who helped make her Alzheimer's encounter as comfortable as possible. Throughout this process her Children loved her to death, literally! Particularly significant were the efforts of her hospice team members, especially, CNAs Ruth and Melody, as well as those of her faithful and caring hospice volunteer, Jeanine Reed. The efforts and contributions of our dear friends, Richardson's and Legleiter's tremendously enriched the later portion of Kate's Alzheimer's struggle. Additionally, we wish to thank all those who so faithfully sent cards of inspiration and solace.

A Rosary service, commemorating Kate's life, will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 5354 US Highway 85/87, Security Colorado at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017.

A mass is scheduled on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 10:00a.m.; afterward an ice cream social will take place in the church foyer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either American Alzheimer's Association or Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. #7