"A good friend and neighbor from my days in Michigan. Bob will be missed. I am glad to have been able to live stream the funeral on Facebook."
In loving memory of
Robert "Bob" Jorgensen
February 9, 1956 - December 19, 2020
A private family funeral Mass for Bob will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Ledyard. The funeral mass and graveside service will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page. www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be directed to Sharing and Caring Hands in Bob's name. Mail to 525 N 7th Street, Minneapolis MN 55405.
Robert Joseph "Bob" Jorgensen was born February 9, 1956, in Estherville, IA, son of Milton "Milt" and Patricia (McDonald) Jorgensen. He grew up on the family farm and attended Swea City High School, graduating in 1974. Following graduation, he moved to Kentucky to pursue his dream of being a horse trainer. He eventually came back to Iowa where he attended Rochester Community college where he earned an Associates Arts Degree.
Saddlebreds were always his first passion, but his training position took him to Kentucky in the Arabian horse business during the early eighties. For the next several years he trained at some of the most prestigious Arabian farms in the country. He showed Arabians to Regional and National recognition. During this time, he established himself as an instructor of champion equestrian riders. His career in the Arabian field was strongly influenced by Jim Taassas, Dick Kiesner, and Tim Shea. He then was approached by Dr. Fernado Jara and his wife Francine to head the training program for the Arabian and National Show Horses that were being bred on their farm. They sold many horses into some of the best show strings in the country. He traveled the United States showing and training horses.
Bob eventually moved back to Minnesota where he opened his own training facility "Bob Jorgensen Training" where he trained, bred, and sold horses. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, and being outside. Bob loved being around his horses.
Bob died Saturday, December 19, 2020, at St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth, MN. He was 64.
He is survived by his mother, Patty Jorgensen of Blue Earth, MN; siblings, Jim (Doreen) Jorgensen of Windom, MN, John (Lori) Jorgensen of Fairmont, MN, Bill (Lora) Jorgensen of Lakeville, MN, Mary (Jeff) Gelhaus of Algona, Margaret (Greg) Brandt of Algona and Don (Rocio) Jorgensen of Ledyard; 13 nieces and nephews, Jessica Jorgensen, Andy (Erica), Aaron (Emily Wegener), and Adam Jorgensen, Megan (fiance Zachary Lauby) and Evan Jorgensen, Chris, Elijah, and Daniel Gelhaus, Brittany (Brett) Capesius and Patricia Brandt, and Desiree and Dustin Jorgensen; three step-nieces, Dani, Mary, and Andrea Pacheco; great-nieces and nephews, Easton, Aspen, and Nora Jorgensen and Hayden and Liam Jorgensen-Lauby; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Milton; maternal grandparents, John "Jack" and Ella McDonald; paternal grandparents, Elmer and Alice Jorgensen; and aunts and uncles.
Tributes
"It?s taken me a while to come up with words to describe how exactly I feel about the loss of the amazing, Bob Jorgensen. My first riding instructor, the first one to teach me hard lessons, how to hold double bridle reins, how to get up after you fall and most of all to really love the sport we get to have because of our amazing horses. There are too many stories I could tell you of times I got yelled at for being mischievous and how many times I would dump shavings into those stalls with my friends. That?s another thing, the friends that I made as a kid and still have to this day. Ruby, Mary Grace, Patrick, Lily, and many more that have always been there. Always a shoulder to lean on. Bob provided me with so many opportunities and learning moments, one big one being my very own mare, Swirl. She has always been extra special to me and the fact that she was his and he sold her to me makes her that much more special. I just cannot go on about how thankful I am that my mom stumbled upon this barn in the middle of Northfield MN. If it hadn?t been for that, my love for the Saddleseat horse would have never appeared. For as long as I?ve been riding I?ve always wanted that spectacular country horse and Bob, I finally got him. Bob always had a thing for greys and sure enough my first Saddleseat horse is a grey, now I wouldn?t call that a coincidence. Rest easy Bob and ride those Saddleseat horses in heaven. I will carry you with me as I enter these new stages in life and I hope that you?ll be up there with my other angel, Grandma Jo. Thank you again for everything you did for my family and I."
"A sweet and wonderful man"
"My daughter and I enjoyed the winter that her horse was boarded and trained at Bob's barn in MN. He was so quiet and low key, and both horses and riders really responded to him. We always looked forward to visiting with him, and hearing what he had to say about her and her horse's progress. We will miss seeing him at the shows. "
"Bob was my daughter\'s first trainer and who we bought her first two horses from. I knew him as a soft-spoken person most of the time though you never missed the message in what he was saying. Having a laugh with him was an exceptional moment and though my wife and daughter got to spend more time with Bob then myself, I appreciate the conversations we shared. He helped me through a tough time in my life following one of my deployments to Iraq and invited me out to the barn to work on things he either didn\'t have time to work on, maybe didn\'t want to, or maybe he just recognized a person who needed to decompress and provided an place, fostering a healing environment. Bob was just like that though-a giver. Remembering Bob, Bailey(the dogs), brownies and thanking him for introducing us to the horse world family. We are so sorry for your loss. He will be sorely missed, however the impact he made will be felt for generations. "
"I am deeply sorry to hear of Bob\'s passing. He was a wonderful man; one of the very best horse trainers, and a person of the highest integrity. He trained our Arabians and my saddle bred mare, The Swan Princess for our family. He will be missed by many people. So sorry for the loss to his family, friends, and the horse community. Nancy Cowette Seward"
"We\'re so sorry to hear of Bob\'s passing."