03/19/2026
Russell Norris Jorgenson of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the age of 88 years. Russell was born to parents Roy and Karlotte Jorgenson on his family’s homestead outside Kelvington, Saskatchewan, on July 4th, 1937. He was blessed with four older sisters, Clarice, Thelma, Joyce, and Evelyn, and a younger brother, Calvin. Russell loved life on the farm.
He married Valerie, and together they started their life in Kelvington, Saskatchewan. In 1970, they embarked on a journey up the Alaska highway with their four children to Fort Nelson, BC. They later welcomed their fifth child, who completed their “five little peppers”.
Throughout Russell’s time in the north, he worked as a mechanic, owned a service station with his brother-in-law, Syd, and ultimately ended his career as the Northern Area Foreman for West Coast Pipelines. Outside of his work life, Russell was an avid gardener with a green thumb and a genuine, all-around handyman who could fix and build anything. He loved the sun, which he chased down all the way to Arizona for fourteen winters. Russell and Valerie travelled to Ireland twice and even as far as Australia. He also enjoyed skiing, snowmobiling, and golfing. He loved spending weekends camping, embracing the great outdoors and creating lasting memories around the campfire, where he often entertained us with his soulful renditions of old country songs. Russell could also often be heard happily whistling away while he puttered around at home or in his garden. Russell was a diehard Roughriders and Oilers fan. He enjoyed watching curling and was known to be an armchair skip.
Left to cherish Russell’s memory is his wife Valerie Jorgenson, his son Randy Jorgenson; daughter Rhonda Noonan; daughter Shan Jorgenson-Adam; daughter Cara Benson (John); grandchildren Kendra (Justin), Breanne (Morgan), Rachel (Corey), Courtney (Kyle), Hayden, and Faith Hannah; four great granddaughters, Halle, London, Parker, Kollins. Russell was predeceased by his parents, his brother Raymond, his sister Clarice, his son Troy, his grandson Jonan, his son-in-laws Brian and Jerry, and his daughter-in-law Karen.
A life well lived and deeply loved, Russell Norris Jorgenson leaves behind a legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family and the Lord. With 88 years of hard work and quiet strength, Russell built a life defined by love, character, and an unshakable commitment to those he held dear. Russell would become whoever you needed him to be, always putting others needs before his own. He was a hero to his children and a best friend to his wife.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Century Meadows Baptist Church in Camrose, Alberta, on Friday, March 27th, 2026, at 11 a.m. If you wish, donations can be made to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Society of Canada
