Mary Emmeline Jorgenson, 92

Mary Emmeline (Mackey) Jorgenson,  92, passed away Jan. 26, 2025 at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell surrounded by family and friends during her last week. She was born on Dec. 9, 1932 in Sioux City, Iowa to Walter A. Mackey and Ida Belle (Reed) Mackey and grew up on a farm near Jackson, Nebraska. Mary was the first of the siblings to be born in a hospital. Her first challenge in life was her mother’s passing when she was 3½ years old.

In 1949, she went to Hayti, S.D., to live with her brother Maurice and sister-in-law Ellen to help with their children and home.  This is where she met Ellen’s brother Robert “Bob” Jorgenson.  Mary and Bob, along with other family members, moved to Forks, Washington in 1951.

Mary married Bob, the love of her life, in June 1951 in Forks. In the latter part of 1952 they moved to Centralia, Washington. Mary was a dedicated mother raising her three sons Dan, Dale, and Ron.  The family moved from Centralia to various towns in western Montana (Missoula, Whitefish and Libby) following Bob’s career, finally ending up in Columbia Falls in 1964 in their forever home.

In 1978, after all the boys had graduated,  she got her GED to fulfill her dream of finishing her education. With the boys gone, she worked at the Columbia Falls liquor store for a while, earning herself some “fun” money.

For Mary, being a mother was one of her most important roles. This included being a mom to several of her son’s friends. Mary enjoyed camping with friends and family, skiing, golfing and traveling in their RV to the southwest to enjoy the winters with their friends Bev and Carol Sorenson, Marlus and George Kopitzke, and Bud and Kay Roush.  For over 70 years Mary and Bob enjoyed a special friendship with Bud and Kay Roush from Libby Montana, having many adventures together.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and friend. She is survived by her son, Dan Jorgenson (Barb); son, Dale Jorgenson (Jennifer); son, Ron Jorgenson (LeeAnna); 12 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mary is also survived by her good friend Bud Roush and her “adopted sons”  Steve Compton (Bonnie) and Monty Brown (Debbie).

A special thanks to Rusty Bender, Dale’s brother-in-law, who after Bob’s passing stayed with Mary and helped her with cooking and taking care of the house.  Mary often mentioned having Rusty there gave her and the family a peace of mind.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Bob,  parents Walter and Ida Mackey, brothers Maurice, Frank, Raymond “Ray”, Albert “Ab” , Harry “Johnny”, Lawrence ”Lorn” , Louis “Lou”; and sisters Ruth Miller, Nellie Zeisler, Agnes  “Aggie” Harris, Ida Healy; half sister Hazel Tjaden;  a set of sibling twin brothers that died at birth; and her dear friend Kay Roush.

There will be a vigil and we will pray the rosary on Sunday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church. A funeral service and luncheon for Mary E. Jorgenson will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025 at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1210 Ninth St. W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Inurnment will be held at St. Richard Cemetery, 2522-2550 Talbot Rd., Columbia Falls, MT 59912, following the services. To send online condolences, please visit