MILDRED NANCY JORGENSON (nee Griffey) of Granum, Alberta, passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the age of 97 years.
Mildred was born on 1st April, 1927 in Claresholm, Alberta to Leola Fleming and Edgar Griffey. She grew up on the Griffey family farm close to Granum, and attended Granum Public School, commuting on her dad’s sleigh in the winter, and on foot in the spring and fall.
After completing a teacher’s certificate at the age of 16, Mildred obtained her first teaching post at the Johnson saw mill in the Porcupine Hills. Every morning, she needed to get the fire going in the one-room schoolhouse, before her pupils arrived.
At the age of 25, Mildred married the love of her life, Harold Daegbert Jorgenson in 1952, and gave birth to her two beautiful boys, Douglas Blaine, in 1953, and Lloyd Edgar, in 1957.
She and Harold loved to chat to everyone, and meet new people, especially on their extensive travels. Somehow, they always managed to establish a connection between a new acquaintance and someone they knew back in Southern Alberta.
Both Mildred and Harold loved to curl, entering many of the local bonspiels. Mildred was also a masterful wordsmith, read extensively, and wrote poetry effortlessly. As well, she loved her regular crib and card games, and all word games.
One of her greatest loves in life was singing and playing the piano. Although she had never had formal lessons, Mildred was an accomplished soprano and pianist, playing all pieces by ear.
Mildred is perhaps most well known in the community for her long and accomplished teaching career, primarily at Granum school, and previously at Bow Island. She absolutely adored teaching elementary school, and she especially loved all her students.
Even many years later, her former students would run up to her and give her a big hug. Invariably, they always said she had been their favourite teacher.
Mildred will be sorely missed by her son, Doug, daughter-in-law, Karin, and her beloved grandchildren, Jon, Krista and Alex, as well as daughter-in-law, Fay. She is predeceased by her younger son, Lloyd, her husband, Harold, her younger brother, Bill, and step-brother, Howard.
The family would very much like to thank all the staff at Fort Macleod Pioneer Lodge for their great care and support over the past four years.
All are invited to attend a Funeral Service to honour Mildred’s long and full life, at the GRANUM UNITED CHURCH, 239 Dufferin Street, Granum, AB, on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. The Funeral Service will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Mildred’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
Following the Funeral Service, Mildred will be laid to rest in the Granum Cemetery.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com