Elaine Norell Jorgenson

Elaine Stark Norell Jorgenson, age 92 of St James, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Elaine was born on January 17, 1931, to Daney and Eva Stark in rural Darfur, MN and graduated from Comfrey High School. She married John Norell on March 31, 1951, before John left to serve in the Korean Conflict. Eventually they moved to a farm in rural Darfur, where they raised their three children. John died of cancer in January 1977. Elaine married Calvin Jorgenson on October 28, 1978 and moved to his farm in rural St. James. In 2007, they moved to Homestead Apartments in St. James where Elaine lived until 2019.

Elaine enjoyed baking, cake decorating, playing piano and organ, and caring for many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She loved to try new recipes and could be counted on for her fudge and popcorn on Monday evenings. Her faith was most important. She was active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Darfur, MN and Hosanna Free Lutheran Church, St. James, MN where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, played piano and organ, sang in the choir and women’s trio, and participated in women’s groups including quilting.

Elaine is survived by her three children, Mark (Janet) Norell, Mary (David) Hedenstrom, and Matthew (Rose) Norell; four grandchildren, Luke (Mary) Norell, Louis (Kylie) Norell, Aaron (Alyssa) Hedenstrom, and Ana Hedenstrom; six great-grandchildren, Lawrence, Nicholas, Roselena, Elliot, Hans, and Belynn; five step children, Leslie (Zenaida) Jorgenson, Keith (Shar) Jorgenson, Corrine (Norman) Holmen, David Jorgenson, and Dwight (Michelle) Jorgenson; step grandchildren, Zaidalyn (Gustavo) Medina, Desiree Wright, Caleb Jorgenson, Bethany (Dean Michaels) Scott, Abigail Carlson, Brennan Holmen, Jordan Holmen, Scarlett Jorgenson, and Kayla Jorgenson; step great-grandchildren, Christian, Gabriel, Bryce, Camille, Kendrick, Nature, Grace, Olivia, and Julius; siblings, Anita Carlson, Harlie (Carol) Stark, and Caroline Finstad and sister-in-law, Shirley Norell, and many nieces and nephews.  Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, Daney and Eva Stark; husbands, John Norell and Calvin Jorgenson; John’s parents, Edward and Elida Norell; siblings, Velda (Harry) Englin, Celesta (Albert) Hagg, Donnabelle (James) Seavert, Wendell (Donna) Stark, and Betty (Eugene) Rathman; sisters-in-law, Grace (Wilbur) Rambow, Avis (Louis) Heylen, Yvonne (Don) Leider and Evelyn Ulrich; brothers-in-law, Glen (Florence) Norell, William Norell, Harold Carlson, Ronald Finstad, and step grandson, Christopher Jorgenson.

Many thanks to the staff at Brandt Ridge Assisted Living in St. James, Episcopal Church Homes in St. Paul, Suite Living in West St. Paul, and Allina Hospice Dakota County for the love and care shown to Elaine the last four years.

Elaine Norell Jorgenson, age 92, of Saint James, MN died on April 19, 2023, at the Suite Living of West St. Paul.

Service will be held at the Hosanna Free Lutheran Church- St. James, on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 11:00 am.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

The clergy will be Rev. Joe Faldet. Interment will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Darfur, MN.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James, Minnesota.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.