Keith Jorgensen

Keith Jorgensen, 80 of Hurley, passed away on July 2, 2026. A Memorial Serivce will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Hurley, with lunch to follow at the Hurley American Legion. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, July 6, 2026 at the church. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Hurley American Legion. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Keith Eugene Jorgensen was born on July 8, 1945, to Donald and Vivian (Christensen) Jorgensen. He was welcomed by his older brother, Glen, and later Duane, joined the family completing a trio that would keep life interesting. Keith grew up on a farm outside of Hurley, South Dakota, and graduated from Hurley High School in 1963. Later that year, he volunteered for the Army before the draft could come calling. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood and later served at Fort Leavenworth for two years.

On August 27, 1966, Keith married Jeanne Brunner — the best decision he ever made. The couple moved to Madison, South Dakota, where Keith graduated from Dakota State College. While in Madison, they welcomed their son Kelly. After graduation and a short career in the corporate world, Keith — never one to enjoy being told what to do — decided he was better suited to being his own boss. In 1971, the same year his daughter Kathy was born, he began a long and successful trucking business with his brothers, Jorgensen Bros. Trucking. In 1974, the family was completed with the arrival of their youngest daughter, Kristy.

They retired in 2004, giving them more time to travel, enjoy the people they loved, and continue offering strong opinions whether they were requested or not.

Keith loved many things, and he approached them all with the same passion he brought to everything else in life, such as:

1. • His family, especially his wife.

   • The cabin at the lake, where he created memories and occasionally terrified his children on the tube of death.

2. • The cabin in the Hills, where he could be found on the deck with coffee in the morning and whiskey at night.

   • Annual fishing trips to Elbow Lake Lodge in Canada, a tradition since 1970.

   • Talking about food and knowing exactly which truck stops had the best specials.

   • Offering his wisdom (eye roll) to his kids, grandkids, and anyone else fortunate enough to be within ear shot.

   • Anything related to the Hurley Bulldogs/VH Cougars and USD Coyotes.

   • Attending his grandchildren’s athletic events and cheering them on with pride.

   • Hunting with friends and family.

   • Reading in the sunroom.

   • People who worked hard and took pride in doing things right.

   • A clean car, pickup, and truck — and everyone knew that, in Keith’s world, a real truck was a Peterbilt.

   • His country, and the pride he felt in being a veteran, and serving with the American Legion.

   • And, of course, his true pride and joy: a beautifully manicured lawn.

   In April 2026, Keith was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He passed away on July 2, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply, countless memories, and more than a few life lessons, opinions, and one-liners that will be repeated for years to come.Those that will miss him for the rest of their lives are his wife Jeanne, children Kelly (Anita) Jorgensen, Kathy Bowes, and Kristy (George) Osterloo. Grandkids, Haley (Jared) Bartling, Hannah (Cody) Mohr, Mason and Grant Bowes, Allyson and Byron Osterloo. Great grandkids, Sloane and Hayes Bartling. Brother, Duane Jorgensen and sister-in-law, Connie (Craig) Flyger.Waiting to greet him in heaven, his parents Donald and Vivian, brother Glen, granddaughter Erica, in-laws Francis and Maxine Brunner, brother-in-law, Jim Brunner and sisters-in-law Patricia Jorgensen and Betty Jorgensen.