Susan “Sue” Jorgensen passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at her home in Eagle, Idaho, at the age of 85. She was born on February 24, 1939 in Eveleth, Minnesota, to Charles and Agnes Viergus.
When Sue was three months old, her parents and her moved to Bend, Oregon, where her father got work at the Shevlin Hixon Mill.
From her father, Sue learned patience, a strong work ethic, and the love of gardening and growing plants. One of her favorites to grow was tomatoes.
Sue graduated from Bend Senior High School in 1957 in Bend, Oregon. She played the clarinet in the high school band and the Bend City Band. She also played the piano, which she became a very good pianist. Sue attended the University of Oregon from 1958-59, then transferring to San Jose State in 1960 to major in Occupation Therapy. She went on to become a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) in 1962.
In 1960 while attending San Jose State, she met Bob Jorgensen in one of her classes, and in September 1961 they were married. Bob also became a registered Occupational Therapist.
Sue worked at Santa Clara County hospital in Santa Clara City from 1962-1963. After that, she made the decision to become a full-time mom staying home when her children were young. Bob and Sue welcomed their first child, Dan in 1963, while still living in California. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1964 where Sarah and Tim were born. After moving to Boise, Idaho in 1970, Jennifer was born. The final family move was to Eagle, Idaho in 1972, where Laurie was born, followed by Ben.
Sue and Bob were very involved in their children’s activities, including Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, 4-H, baseball, band concerts, backpacking trips, and church activities. Sue said many times, “there was never a dull moment at our house!”
Upon returning to work, Sue started working at Mercy Medical Center in Nampa in 1980 and transferred to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise in 1986. She enjoyed working with patients, helping them to achieve their full potential as well as being a strong advocate for patients she worked with. She really loved her job, and with additional training at Johns Hopkins, became an expert in the area of swallowing disorders. She was also the program coordinator for the Student Occupational Therapy Program at St. Alphonsus. In 2004 she retired from St. Alphonsus.
Sue was active in her church, playing the piano, sending tapes of sermons and cards for those in need. She was a support of encouragement for so many individuals throughout the years.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Agnes, her husband, Bob of over 49 years, and her son Dan. She is survived by her five remaining children: Sarah Jackson, Tim Jorgensen, Jennifer Johnson, Laurie Johnson, Ben Jorgensen, and 13 beloved grandchildren: Rachel, Jessica, James, Nathan, Hannah, Luke, Parker, Brandon, Ann, Caleb, Joshua, Samuel, Matthew, Erika.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Idaho Food Bank or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
A funeral service will be held, 12:00 pm, Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr., Garden City, Idaho.
A private family committal will take place at a later date at Star Cemetery, Star, Idaho.