St. Olaf College | St. Olaf Alumni

Yvonne Bottem Jorgenson ’57

Yvonne Bottem Jorgenson, of Northfield, Minn., passed away with her husband and family by her side, on July 1, 2014, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 79. She was born April 30, 1935, in St. James, Minn., to Ted and Anna Henderson Bottem. She was baptized and confirmed at Albion Lutheran Church and attended country school near Godahl, Minn. In 1953, she graduated from St. James High School and in 1957, received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Olaf College.

On July 13, 1957, Yvonne married Gordon Jorgenson ’54 at Albion Lutheran. After marriage, they made their home for a short time in Saint Paul, Minn., before moving to Edina, Minn. In 1965, they moved to Columbia Heights, Minn., where they raised their children and made many lasting friendships. In 1991, they moved to Burnsville, Minn., and to Northfield in 2006. Yvonne and Gordon had enjoyed wintering in Surprise, Ariz., for the past 14 years. Over the years, Yvonne was always active in the neighborhood in which they lived and the church to which they belonged. She had the wonderful ability to make friends easily and relished every friendship. She enjoyed her family, her flower garden, various bridge clubs, and the occasional bowling league. When Gordon retired, they enjoyed traveling to new places, including Australia and Alaska. Yvonne took great pleasure in her Norwegian heritage and became adept at making many traditional Norwegian treats.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Gordon; two children, Eric Jorgenson ’80 and wife Amanda, and Beth Jorgenson Abdella ’82 and husband Blake Abdella ’82; six grandchildren, Rianna, Lydia, Claire, Ryan Abdella ’13, Michael Abdella ’13, and Scott Abdella ’14; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dennis Bottem.

Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Northfield; or St. Olaf College.