Elmer H. Jorgenson, 98 of Williston, ND, passed away Tuesday July 4th, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Williston. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family.

Elmer H. “Jimmie” Jorgenson was born March 18, 1919, to Haakon and Oline (Nilsen) Jorgenson in Mont Township, rural Williston. He attended school at the Jorgenson School in Mont Township and then attended Williston High School.

He served in the U.S. Army from March 24, 1942 until November 11, 1945. While in the service he attended and graduated from the Armored Force School and the U.S. Engineers School, training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Camp Polk, Louisiana. He was the last survivor of the Cadre of the reformed 8th Armored Division (Thundering Herd). He served in both the original and reformed 8th Armored Division, 53rd Engineering Battalion, Company C. He received three battle stars for action in the Battle of the Bulge counteroffensive, the Rhineland, and Central Europe while serving in Combat Command R of the 8th Armored Division in General Simpson’s 9th Army.

Upon discharge from the Army he began farming, which was to become his life’s occupation and passion. On June 15, 1949 he married LaVern Magnuson of Wildrose. They lived and farmed in Mont Township for 43 years, and moved to Williston in 1993. He served as a clerk on the Mont Township board and also served on various church boards while a member of the rural Williston parish. He was a member of the Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church, the J.I. Case Heritage Foundation, a lifetime charter member of the National World War II Memorial Society, and the American Legion. One of his hobbies was collecting and restoring vintage Case tractors. He was a good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a great sense of humor that was appreciated by all who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, LaVern; three children, Eugene Jorgenson of rural Williston; Mary Smith (Gary) of Lakeside, California; and Amy Jorgenson of Fargo, North Dakota; four grandchildren, James Hanson of Madison, Wisconsin; Todd Hanson (Emily) of Cottage Grove, Minnesota; Tammy Lundstrom (Darrick) of Burnsville, Minnesota; and Caleb Smith (Yan) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and three great-grandchildren, Dylan Lundstrom, Preston Smith, and Else Hanson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Betty Lindvig, Nanna Stensos, Mabel Lester, Hjalmer “Jack”, Haakon, Norman, and Lloyd; and several nieces and nephews.