Jens L. Jorgensen

Jens was born in Luverne, ND to Hans and Dagny Jorgensen who lost their first son, Hans after venturing to the United States from Denmark to farm.

The eldest of nine, Jens worked at the farm until starting his education at Valley City State College where he received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry. He was called to service by the Army during the Korean War and was stationed stateside on the East Coast where he met is wife Anne when she was hostessing at the USO.

They married shortly thereafter and returned to North Dakota where Jens taught high school, was the school principal and coached athletics while going on to North Dakota State University in Fargo. There, he received his Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.

With a small family to support, he moved to Kenosha to begin his career for a paint company in Waukegan. 3M (Minnesota Mining Company) recruited him to St. Paul, MN where he spent almost 30 years before retiring as a Corporate Scientist and lead inventor for over 20 patents including 3M’s Product of the Year, Retro Reflective Pavement Markings using an innovative system infusing glass beads for added reflection. It was the largest revenue generator for 3M the following year.

Other patents include work on Pressure sensitive adhesives, Repositional glue stick, Coated abrasives, Velvet Coating, an Aqueous skin cleaner and the 3M Indoor window insulator kit which is still marketed today.

With seven children, Jens was active in Boy Scouts, teaching Confirmation classes, gardening, family vacations and always found time to go to the family farm to help at harvest. He was also an avid table tennis player and enjoyed chess.

With farming in his blood, he eventually bought a 40-acre hobby farm in Anoka County and loved being out with the cattle and horses.

While living in Woodbury, Jens was featured in the newspaper for his abundant array of beautiful tulips from around the world.

Jens was also proud of being able to help start two churches in his life. He was on the planning committee for The Church of St. Paul in Ham Lake, MN and participated in the startup planning for St. John’s the XXIII in Fort Myers, FL In retirement, Jens helped count monies and managed the Church’s Thrift Store which helped children with educational scholarships.

Jens is survived by his beautiful wife, Anne and his children, Deanne (John), Greg (Denise), Patty (Tony). Joy (Don), Donna (Jay), Debe (Steve) and Kevin (Amy) who he was very proud of. Jens has 19 grandchildren and 20 great grand children. He is also survived by siblings Ruth, Rose Mary, Alvin and Beverly and was preceded in death by Myrtle Madsen and Frank, Ray and Kenny Jorgensen

A funeral mass will be at St. John’s the XXIII in Fort Myers on Friday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers a donation be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Jorgensen family.