Jeri Lynn Hunt Jorgensen

Jeri Lynn Hunt Jorgensen was born July 23, 1956 in Brownsville, Texas. She was the daughter of Johnie Ray Hunt and Janie Lee Fisher. The middle of three children - all girls, Jeri grew up with a love of her family, her many friends, and Texas! Everyone who knew Jeri knew that she was a true Texan at heart! One of her favorite sayings was "Don't ever ask someone if they're from Texas. Cause, if they are they would have already told you, and if they aren't, you wouldn't want to embarrass them!" Jeri attended high school in Brownsville where she graduated from Brownsville High School. She and her two sisters, Julie and Lita, all joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while in their teens and Jeri loved her membership and affiliation with the Church throughout her life. She also loved to travel and have new adventures. Shortly after high school, Jeri moved to New York to work as a nanny to earn tuition, then off to Rick's College in Idaho where she attended for two years studying with an emphasis on elementary education. It wasn't long after that that her love of her Savior, Jesus Christ, led her to accept a mission call to serve the people of Uruguay for 18 months. She grew to love the Latin people very much and learned to speak excellent Spanish- a skill that served her well throughout her life in Church, social interactions, and in employment. It didn't take long after Jeri's return home from her mission to meet the man who would soon become her husband. Jeri met Jack Jorgensen at a Church dance on Valentine's Day in 1980. The two quickly fell in love and after a few months of courtship were married and sealed in the Los Angeles Temple for time and all eternity on September 20 of that same year. They lived in Santa Maria, California until going off to dental school in Alton, Illinois in the summer of 1987. There she worked as hard at home as her husband did in school taking care of her soon-to-be four little boys, while earning what money she could babysitting others' small children. She was a very hard worker and always supported her husband in every sense of the word. After school, Jeri and her family moved to West Valley, then to American Fork, and finally to Pleasant Grove Utah. There she learned many new skills in a dental office as she managed the practice and worked front office receptionist duties in Jack's fledgling dental practice. It was in Utah that her last son, Graham was born. He was boy number 5 behind Michael, Jeff, Loren and Jamin. Life was extremely busy there as she successfully managed the office while also rearing 5 very active boys and supporting one very busy husband. Jeri loved homemaking and was an excellent cook, seamstress, and quilter. She was active in Church and accepted every Church calling that she ever received, including serving as a den leader in cub scouts, a primary teacher, a leader in Primary and Relief Society, and in several teaching positions. The family made one more move to Vancouver, WA in February 2003. There Jeri found employment in the school district as teacher's aide in the ELL program. This was something that aligned much better with her skills and interests than a dental office! She loved the children and was a tremendous influence in the lives of many as she helped children who were non-English speaking learn English and understand the things that they were being taught in school. She was loved and respected by her peers and work associates. Jeri's greatest love and concern was for her family. She dedicated her life to caring for and showing her love for her children and grandchildren. Birthdays, holidays, school band concerts, parades, and athletic events were all important to her if they involved anyone in the family. Mom and grandma was always there to cheer and support! All those who knew Jeri knew of her tremendous personality and love of family, friends, and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She influenced so many people for good. She is missed and loved by many in several parts of the world. She was constantly finding ways to help and serve others - using her skills and means to bring comfort and relief to the suffering, the lonely, and the one who needed a friend. If a stranger showed up at Church, Jeri would be one of the first to greet them, sit with them, and often invite them over for dinner to help them feel welcomed and accepted. When a young family with small children showed up, Jeri would be there getting to know the children and playing with them. She always had finger puppets in her purse to entertain the noisy and wiggly kids during Sacrament meeting! The list of her service could go on and on. Jeri also loved nature. She raised canaries for several years and thrilled to their beautiful song. One of her favorite pastimes was bird watching out the back door of her home as the wild birds visited the feeders and water fountain. She also loved plants and was an avid backyard gardener creating beautiful displays of plants and flowers every spring. Her other great passion was quilting and sewing. She created several beautiful quilts that required hours of meticulous work and attention to detail. She was never idle! She worked on quilts and blankets to gift to needy children until the day that her health simply would not allow it anymore. Jeri returned to her Heavenly Father on Nov. 14, 2021 after a lengthy and courageous battle with colon cancer. She passed away peacefully in her Vancouver home surrounded by the family she loved and who dearly loved her. Jeri is survived by her husband, Jack Jorgensen, her sons, Jamin Jorgensen (Leah) of Ridgefield, WA; Loren Jorgensen of Montana; Jeffrey Jorgensen (Amanda) of Vista, CA; and Michael and Graham Jorgensen, both of Vancouver, WA. Also, grandchildren David, Sarah, Heidi, and Dax. In addition, her sisters Julie Lieber of San Jose CA and Lita Hunt of Colorado. She was interred Nov. 26 at the Ridgefield City Cemetery in Ridgefield, WA.

Jeri Lynn Hunt Jorgensen

July 23, 1956 - November 14, 2021