Shirley Jorgensen

Shirley Jorgensen, 76, a Denver resident and native of Great Falls, MT, passed away peacefully around 9:30 pm on June 30, 2018 after courageously fighting cancer since November of 2016.

She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Robert (Bob) Jorgensen Jr.; daughters, Stacey Martinez and Michelle Wretling (Francisco Cruz); son, Douglass Prahl (Katie); four grandchildren, Kayla Cubbage, Samuel Wretling, Conner Prahl, Riley Prahl; and sister Lenora Parkins. She was preceded in death by her sister Betty Kencke in 2017.

Shirley grew up helping in her parents' community grocery store, Pfister Grocery, in Great Falls, MT before earning her BA in English (eventually, MA in Teaching) at Montana State University. Her career was spent teaching junior high and high school in Great Falls until she retired from Charles M. Russell High School in 1992. During her retirement, she and Bob traveled extensively around Europe, South America, and South East Asia, as well as other corners of the world. They also held various volunteer positions around Great Falls and supported local charitable organizations. In October of 2016, they moved to Denver to be closer to family, but their hearts remained in their hometown of Great Falls. Shirley loved gardening, spending time with loved ones at the family cabin at Seeley Lake, and planning her future travels.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Shirley's caregivers, oncology team, and hospice/nursing home staff for their compassionate care, and also to family and friends for their loving help and support throughout her last months.

A service will be held at 1pm on Friday, July 6, at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S. Colorado Blvd. Denver. On Friday, July 27th there will be a graveside service for Shirley at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls, MT.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the following are appreciated: American Cancer Society, Denver Hospice, and the United Way.

Please share memories and condolences with the family in the online guest book below.