Ernest E. Jorgenson

2/2/1935 — 12/20/2017

• Service Date: 12/29/2017
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Ernest Eldon Jorgenson, 82, a longtime resident of Lewiston, was called home to heaven on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at his home, surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Rev. Bradley Neely at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at All Saints Catholic Church in Lewiston.

Ernie was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Pontiac, Mich., to Ernest Rasmus Jorgenson and Zella Lamond Bonham Jorgenson. He grew up and attended public schools in southern Oregon, graduating from Roseburg High School in 1953.

Directly out of high school, he began his career with the Smith-Corona Marchant Corp. in Eugene, Ore., while serving in the Oregon National Guard. After transferring to Lewiston, he continued employment with SCM for 27 years in office equipment sales and service, as well as teaching at the Oakland, Calif., SCM factory. Ernie's next career was with Washington State University, establishing the business equipment service department. After retiring as sales manager for Icon Office Equipment, Ernie worked for Nez Perce County in the Office of Emergency Management. He found great joy in teaching emergency preparedness for the county.

One of his greatest passions was sharing his interest in the history and operation of antique and vintage office equipment. He wrote an extensive history of the Marchant Office Equipment Co. and donated his large collection of rare and vintage office machines to the historical museum at St. Gertrude near Cottonwood, where the exhibit remained for a number of years. In 2008, he coordinated a reunion of Marchant Co. managers and salespersons in Lewiston and was proud to be able to inform them that the museum housed the largest Marchant office machine collection in the United States.

His interests and hobbies included woodworking, ham radio and volunteering at the Cottonwood Correctional Center. Until several years ago, he conducted a flourishing online business selling vintage machines and providing supplies and manuals to collectors all over the world. Ernie's kindness and dedication to his friends was legendary; he visited and called the sick, consoled the bereaved and cheered many with humor and whimsy. He was never out and about without his beloved little rescue dog, Gracie Allen, and he enjoyed the exploits of the family cats.

Ernie and Barbara Marie Rodley were married in 1955 in Roseburg. They were blessed with two daughters, Cheri Skow (Mike) of Lewiston and Becky Griffith (Robert) of Lacey, Wash. They later divorced.

Ernie and Jean Mostek Forsman were married Oct. 22, 1983. He is survived by Jean at their home in Lewiston; daughters Cheri and Becky; and his three stepsons, Craig Forsman (Traci), Kirk Forsman and Keith Forsman; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Ernie also is survived by his brother, Robert Jorgenson (Jill) of Lewiston, and was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Berry Lou Swaim

Memorial contributions made in Ernie's honor are suggested to All Saints Catholic School Building Fund.

Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Service Information

Date & Time

Friday, December 29, 10:30 AM

Location

All Saints Catholic Church
3330 14th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

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