Knud E. Jorgensen

Knud E. Jorgensen, 89, of rural Stewartville, Minn., passed away on Friday morning, January 17, 2025, at his home of natural causes surrounded by his loving family.

Knud was born on May 19, 1935, in Graese, Denmark to Jess and Martha Jorgensen. He grew up on the family farm and attended local schools and Kregme in 1950. Knud was an avid soccer player and a skilled horseman and enjoyed participating in the local soccer and horse clubs. He farmed with his father, was a milk tester and worked labor jobs until 1961 when he was accepted into MAST International through the University of Minnesota an agriculture training and internship program. As part of the program he attended classes at the UofM and worked on Clarence and Mary Jorgensen’s farm in Stewartville, Minn. (No relation!). The bonus of the program was meeting his neighbor Wilma Bufton. Knud married the love of his life, Wilma Bufton, on March 23, 1963, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville. Following their marriage the couple moved to California, where they worked and lived for a year before returning to Denmark for two and a half years living with Knud’s parents on the family farm where Jessica and Erik were born. During this time Knud worked at the local steel mill and farmed with his father. In 1966 Knud and Wilma moved back to Stewartville where they purchased a dairy farm and made it their home and raised their five children. Knud was a lifetime dairy farmer and loved his Holstien cows, enjoyed selling seed corn and in “retirement” raised beef cattle. Knud and Wilma farmed together their entire lives; Mrs. Jorgensen died August 31, 2009.

Knud was a lifelong Lutheran and his faith was important to him. He was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville. He was also involved with DHIA, AMPI and Ag Coop. He was popular at the meetings for making them interesting by asking pertinent questions. Knud was well liked, had a good sense of humor and really enjoyed life and farming. He was well know as “Father” by many who loved him and were close to him. Knud and Wilma enjoyed going on drives around the countryside, auction sales and traveling, especially with the groups from the Producers seed corn company and Eastwood Bank. Knud enjoyed reading and keeping up with current agriculture, current events and sports. He was a fan of all sports and enjoyed his Sunday Vikings games with family, especially with Bob Bergland, and Hans and Terry Miner. Most of all he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and coffee and conversation with friends and neighbors.

Knud is survived by their children Jessica Jorgensen, Marie (Todd) Amy and Keith (Sherri) Jorgensen, all of Stewartville; seven grandchildren: Cory (Sabrina) Jorgensen, Grace Amy, Genesis and Haley Jorgensen, and Annabelle, Jack and Oscar Jorgensen; two great-grandchildren: Cane Mallan and Erik Jorgensen; two siblings in Denmark: Ingrid Overgaard Hansen and August (Birgit) Jorgensen; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma, two sons, Erik and Hans; one brother, Hans and one sister, Gunda, both of Denmark.

The memorial service for Knud will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday January 25, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, with Rev. Tim Bowman officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 4-7 p.m. on January 24, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Knud are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com  A live stream of the memorial service for Knud will be available at Zion Lutheran Church’s website on Saturday morning.