Duane R. Jorgensen
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 7, 2021 @ 10:11 am In 2021,Obituaries | 13 Comments
Duane R. Jorgensen, born on February 1, 1944, died on January 3, 2021at the age of 76. No local funeral services are planned. Duane is preceded in death by his parents James and Alice Jorgensen, his brother-in-law Charlie Lank, his nephew Gary Jorgensen, and his best friends John “Mike” McKinley and Bob Palmer. Duane is survived by his sister Judy Lank, his brother Don Jorgensen, his niece Brenda Jorgensen, his special friend Gloria Enger, and their cat Shadow.
Duane was born in Dayton, Ohio. He was the oldest child of three, each child exactly 17-months apart. Duane graduated from Bowling Green Senior High in 1962. He was part of band and lettered three years in basketball and football. Growing up Duane enjoyed swimming, bike riding, working on trucks with his dad, playing baseball, playing cards, and playing with the family cats and dogs.
After high school, Duane left Bowling Green to attend Ohio University on a football scholarship. During his second year, a knee injury ended his football career. At that time Duane decided to follow his dad’s footsteps and enter the transportation industry. Duane would later become the owner and operator of his own over the road trucking company.
Duane enjoyed watching old cowboy movies, reading, and spending time with his friends and his pets, who he treated him like they were his own children. Duane had the most wonderful dry and witty personality. If you did not know Duane, the first time you met him you might think he was ruff & gruff. But under that intimidating outer shell, was a caring, kind, and gentle soul.
Duane had many friends in the Prior Lake/Jordan area including Dusty and Elaine Manders & family, Terry and Ann McKinley & family, Matt and Robin (“Beeker”) McKinley & family, Cody McKinley & family and Renny Palmer, Bowling Green, Ohio. Duane also had a very special relationship with the staff at Wells Fargo in Prior Lake.
Duane had a very generous heart and supported the following organizations on a regular basis. His family and friends request that in lieu of memorials, you make a donation in his honor; St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Duane knew that his life on Earth was ending but knowing he would be reunited with his dog Ice, as well as his other furry animals, gave him great comfort and peace.
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Thank you Tony for the memories of Duane and your condolences.
DUANE AND I WERE FRIENDS FROM 4TH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. WE PLAYED TOGETHER
ON SPORTS TEAMS AND WERE HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES WHO SHARED THE BENEFITS OF SMALL TOWN
AMERICA IN THE 50’S AND 60’S. I HAVE GOOD MEMORIES. WE WENT FROM KIDS TO YOUNG ADULTS TOGETHER. REST IN PEACE. MY CONDOLENCES TO JUDY AND DON.
hank you Steve for your condolences. Growing up in small town America was a wonderful place to be and Duane enjoyed those years.
Duane and I graduated from BGHS together. He was one very good person. I had left BG, came back to Bank of Wood County and was doing commercial lending in the mid 1970’s. One day, I look up from my desk and see Duane ambling into my office having just lubed a truck or other maintenance. Grease and dirt was everywhere, but those big old hands still looked the same. He needed a loan and I was able to take care of it quickly. I hadn’t seen him in probably 15 years, and he was the same old Duane. We talked and laughed and enjoyed the time together. He was a long-time customer at Bank of Wood County before he moved. An obvious “gentle giant”!!!
My condolences to all of Duane’s extended family. May he enjoy his after life immensely!
Walt, thank you for this memory. Duane loved working on trucks and we can picture him so vividly the way you described him. Thank you for your condolences.
Ah Duane! As Tony Kaufman said up there; “He was a giant with a teddy bears demeanor” I will always remember you as a very nice person all through High School. Your “big-ness” always scared me back then until I got to know you and realized it was “Teddy Bear bigness”!! Rest in Peace my friend from the past, rest in peace!
Connie (Businger) Eblin
Thank you Connie for your memories of our Big Brother and your condolences.
I too was a class mate with Duane. It is a shame to hear that he has past. He was a great guy that got along with all kinds of folks. Rest in peace big guy .Larry Newman
Thank you Larry. Don and I appreciate your memory of Duane and your condolences.
When I was a young girl my dear old dad (Mike McKinley) and Duane were roommates for a while. I remember being very young and intimidated by this very TALL, very hairy man. Until he brought me donuts. That’s when I understood the term Gentle Giant. From that day forward I always called him Smiley when I saw him. He would grunt at me and then a tiny little smirk would appear under that big beard and he’d wink at me. I’m so sorry to Gloria and all of Duane’s family and friends. But find comfort that my pops, Duane, Ice and Stinky are all together once again. RIP Smiley!
Jennifer, this was so Duane. Thank you for sharing this with us and for your condolences.
I am Kelly’s (Don Kelly and Ruth) Grandson and I remember Duane from being around the shop in Jordan and the office in Savage. I was around 3-5 years old and he would always tell me he was “gonna flatten my nose” showing me his gigantic fist and the gruffest face he could show a 4 yr old. It was a joke, of course, and I really liked him. I thought he was a giant and it was cool he would talk to me. I still think about him from time to time just as one character from my childhood. Even at that young age I could tell he was a gentle person, kind and always had time to stop and make me smile. He is missed in his human form but wherever we jpuirney to after this life on earth I am sure he is doing some interesting stuff and discovering the mysteries of the universe.
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I went to Bowling Green High School and Ohio University with Duane. I remember the one time traveling back to OU from vacation break that Duane was driving my car. We went out to pass a semi and did not see the semi coming towards us , but thanks to Duane’s driving skill he avoided a fatal accident. I played basketball and football with Duane in high school, and Duane and Rhino were to formidable tackles that help produce a undefeated high school football team. He was a giant with a teddy bears demeanor. May you rest in peace, the man we often referred to as Jorgie