Richard Roy Jergensen

Rick Jergensen was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 17, 1947. He passed away from natural causes at his home in Arvada, Colorado, on February 10, 2026. Son of Ivan Roy Jergensen and Winifred Cavnar Jergensen. He was preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Johnathan Edward Jergensen.

Rick married Raita Zigurs (Tita) on October 7, 1967. Soon after, they purchased their first home in Commerce City, Colorado, where they lived for five years and finished their respective college degrees. In May 1968, Rick and Tita started their family when their daughter Ingrid Maiga Jergensen was born.

In 1972, Rick graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a Bachelor of Science degree. Shortly after, he began his career as a Field Agent with Iowa National Insurance Company. Rick later joined his father Ivan at Jergensen Insurance Agency, where he would dedicate more than fifty years to their family business.

Rick and Tita’s family grew in October 1974 when their son Steen Aleksandr Jergensen was born. In December of the same year, the young family relocated to Arvada, Colorado, and established their permanent residence.

Rick was involved with the Commerce City Business and Professional Association for over 10 years. He spearheaded beautification projects in his hometown to restore and improve roadway medians along industrial corridors. He advocated for and supported the inception of the Commerce City Recreation Center and actively participated in the community's fun-runs and parades. Throughout his career, Rick maintained a strong, collaborative relationship with the Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado.

Rick was an active member of the Denver Danes Club and the Rocky Mountain Thunderbird Club. There was no parallel, however, for his commitment to the Latvian community of Denver. Rick’s deep love for Tita inspired him to adopt her native Latvian customs and traditions. Together, their involvement helped the Denver Latvian community flourish. An unlikely all-American outsider became a beloved, integral member of the Denver Latvian society. He participated in many nationwide Latvian song and dance festivals, solstice celebrations, holiday traditions, and traveled to Latvia with Tita often. Rick also became a leading member in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denver. He served as a Church Board Member, Lay Pastor, and regularly shared his gift of music, sermons, and scripture.

Rick also had a passion and aptitude for sports, music, and the great outdoors. He was a standout three-sport athlete at Adams City High School and continued on to play baseball in college. Rick encouraged his kids to participate in multiple sports, which he also volunteered to coach. He was ever present at his children’s and grandchildren’s events. Rick was a longtime supporter of local sports teams and held season tickets for the CU Buffaloes, the Colorado Rockies, and the Denver Broncos. Rick also had a gift for music, playing the trumpet, piano, and his long-time love of singing and playing guitar. After learning to fly fish as a young boy, Rick shared his passion with his extended family, his children, and good friends – teaching others and making several worldwide fishing trips and expeditions.

Rick and Tita extended themselves well beyond their own immediate family. They opened their home and welcomed out-of-state family members, several international students, and a pastor from Latvia for the local Latvian Church for lengthy stays. Their generosity and spirit of giving were fundamental to their core value of serving others.

Rick's funeral service was held on February 25, 2026 at the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denver, located in Lakewood, Colorado. Gravesite services followed at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado where he was laid to rest.

Rick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Tita, and his loving family. Siblings: Jerry Jergensen (wife Judith), Susie Ryan (husband Jim), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Children: Ingrid (husband Andris Levensteins), Steen (wife Sarah née Eckhoff).

Grandchildren: Niklavs Levensteins, Kristians Levensteins, Aleksandr Jergensen, Marisa Jergensen, Annika Jergensen, Lars Jergensen.

Donations in Rick Jergensen's memory may be made to: Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denver 10705 W. Virginia Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80226