Janice Jean Sorenson Jorgensen

Our Mom Janice Jean Sorensen Jorgensen returned home and into the arms of her One and Only on September 2, 2026 after 87 years of serving, loving, cooking, and caring about everyone else around her. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by family.

On August 8, 1939, Delta and Joseph Sorenson welcomed a sassy, determined, accepting, strong, and slightly stubborn baby girl. She grew up in Lark, Utah as the 6th of 7 kids -5 brothers, and a sister. Much of the strength gained as she traversed childhood and many of the skills learned as she cared for her siblings and family, she used to her advantage as she later grew a family of her own.

On July 18, 1955, when she was 16, she was sealed in the Manti Temple to the love of her life, Robert M. Jorgensen. Their courtship was full of adventures and a few challenges. Not many thought they would ever make it. Her mom, however, loved Robert and highly encouraged the relationship. Thankfully, her opinion of him matched Janice’s. Now they are celebrating being together again for eternity.

They were blessed with 7 children: Jay (Lori) Jorgensen, Dale (Shawna) Jorgensen, Julie (Joe – deceased) Hickle, Launa Jorgensen, Blair Jorgensen (deceased), Pyne Jorgensen, and Mary Hansen. She devoted her life to caring for her family and supporting Dad in his many creative endeavors. She loved her children and never gave up on them no matter what challenges they presented her with. Mealtime was always an important part of the home she created. Breakfast was always cooked and ready. Homecooked dinners happened around the table. Sunday dinners were important. Everything was served in nice dishes, with accompanying place settings. It often included Jello in fancy dishes or cottage cheese in lettuce leaves with a pineapple ring. No one liked being responsible for peeling potatoes or doing dishes on Sundays! She was an example of love and forgiveness. She taught us self-reliance, responsibility, and independence. We never went without and we always knew where home was.

Nothing lit up her face or brought her more joy than her grandkids, and their kids, and their kids. She had the uncanny ability to make every one of them feel like they are her favorite, and they’d all argue that they are. She supported their life adventures, cried with them and for them during their hardships, and loved them deeply. She took them on adventures of her own sometimes. One snowy day, she piled all the grandkids she could fit into her car to take them into town. On the way home, she hit an ice patch. The car spun in a circle and landed off the road. Stunned and surprised, Grandma hollered from the front seat, “Don’t you dare tell your parents when we get home!” Of course, the grandkids ratted her out the second they walked through the door. She acted astounded and faked disappointment at our behavior. We have laughed about it for years. The pantry was always open, treats were as abundant as her support, and she even was known to make grandkids their favorite treat just for them when she knew she was going to see them. No one’s house was as good as Grandma’s House.

When she wasn’t caring for her family she worked at The Candy Company, Arctic Circle, and as a school lunch manager. She also worked for Utah Food and Catering where she cooked for the Jazz and the State Fair. Later she finished her career at Utah State University Dining Services, feeding college kids and making lifelong friends.

Mom was resilient, with a quiet determination to persevere even when life got hard. And it did often throughout her life. That resiliency can be attributed to her strong faith in her Savior. She frequented the temple and shared beautiful experiences she had there. Church attendance was a part of her normal life. However, much of her testimony of Christ was exemplified in her actions. She lived what she believed and shared Christ’s love with those around her.

Service was an important part of her life. She was actively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Whether she was serving in Relief Society, heavily involved in the Boys Scouts, teaching sports to the youth as a Youth Sports Director, taking Young Women to camp as a Girls Camp Director, or putting on the Ward Road Show, her example of Christ-like love and service to others was obvious. They were also some of her greatest memories that she spoke of often with fondness.

Her charity guided her love for others, and her light drew people to her. We couldn’t go anywhere without seeing someone she knew, and she always took the time to chat with them. Family didn’t stop at her four walls. Anyone that needed a safe place, a temporary home, a kind ear, or an extra mom could count on her.

She accepted everyone right where they were and always saw the best in them. She also wanted the best for them. You always knew where she stood, but she also held you up where you stood. Her limits to forgiveness were endless. Everyone was worthy of another chance, and she was often the bridge for others to forgive as well.

Though her heart was soft, she could be feisty and funny. Her competitive nature made her a force to be reckoned with, and she never backed down in a game of Hand and Foot, or any game or sport for that matter. She liked to win! But she was quick to laugh and easily laughed at herself. Her laugh is something we hope our ears never forget.

Janice lived a full life, and her light will be missed. She is survived by 16 grandkids, 36 great grandkids, 17 great-great grandkids, and her children, Jay (Lori), Dale (Shawna), Julie, Launa, Pyne, and Mary. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert M Jorgensen, her son, Blair Jorgensen, and her grandson Dillon Jorgensen. Her heavenly reunion will be rich in love when she reunites with them, as well as her parents, siblings, and many others that have gone before her.

Anyone is welcome to come celebrate her life with us. Funeral Services will be held on September 9, 2026 at noon at Webb Mortuary 1005 S 800 E in Preston, ID with an internment to Clifton Cemetery afterwards. A brief viewing will be held before the funeral service from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. A live stream is available for those who cannot attend.

Services will be available to stream live on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 12:00 noon MDT by clicking on the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/DXRuEOMXcz0?feature=share