Betty D. Jorgensen

Betty D. Jorgensen, 91, of Kearney died January 18, 2025 at Omaha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Per Betty’s wishes, there will not be a traditional public funeral service. The family will hold a private service at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Group (Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, ℅ Auxiliary Group, 2211 Avenue A, Kearney, NE 68847), which she was an active member of for many years. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Betty was born on May 25, 1933 on the Vavra family farm near Amherst, NE to George L. and Mary (Monroe) Vavra. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1951. Betty married Dwaine Jorgensen in 1954 and they shared two children: Paul and Samuel. Betty lived in Kearney, NE for the majority of her life and worked in the lunch program for Kearney Public Schools for many years. She also lived at Johnson’s Lake for several years where she met many cherished friends. Betty had a great appreciation for growing up on her family farm. She often talked about childhood memories on the farm, and of her mother playing piano and all her siblings gathered around listening. She was proud of her Bohemian heritage, and if you heard her speak Czech you were probably in trouble! Betty loved the simple things in life such as horses, birdsongs, making waffles for her grandkids and singing special syrup songs, spending time with family, peonies, auctions, Brooks and Dunn, Tom Selleck, Judge Judy, Walmart, and catching up with lifelong friends. Many of you probably remember having long conversations with her at Walmart, of which she thoroughly enjoyed. Betty was a strong and resilient woman, and her family often joked that she might outlive them all. She was fortunate and proud to live independently until the age of 91. Betty is survived by her son, Sam (Diane) Jorgensen of Omaha, NE; brother, Mick (Deb) Vavra of Kearney, NE; grandson Joshua (Amie) Jorgensen of Kearney, NE; granddaughter Maribeth (Jennifer) Jorgensen of Huntsville, TX; grandson William Jorgensen of Kearney, NE; granddaughter Mandy (Justin) Queen of Ashland, NE; granddaughter Abby (Jake) Glair of Omaha, NE; twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dwaine Jorgensen; son, Paul Jorgensen, and five siblings

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Betty D. Jorgensen

May 25, 1933 - January 18, 2025