Ilsa Jorgensen

September 26, 1945 - March 20, 2019

Ilsa Brown Jorgensen returned to her Father in Heaven at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, March 20th at River Meadows Senior Living in Alpine, Utah due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She was born the third child of Charles Wesley Brown and Ellen Olga Falk on September 26, 1943 in Mesa, Arizona. When she was very young, her father joined the U.S. Air Force and the family moved to various stations all over the world. Among those locations, she had fond memories of life in Hawaii, Kwajalein (South Pacific), and France. In 1961, she attended Brigham Young University where she met Newel Jorgensen. Their first date was on Easter Sunday in 1962 and they were married five months later in the Manti Temple on September 6th. Their marriage lasted over 50 years. They had four children (Jennifer, Elisabeth, Suzanne, and Eric) who were raised in Portales, New Mexico where they lived from 1969 to 1996. She enjoyed art, taking several university classes in the subject, and produced many paintings and drawings which she shared with family and sold at art shows. She completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Eastern New Mexico University and was able to use her training to teach French and work with the gifted and talented program at the high school in Clovis, New Mexico. Ilsa had an animated sense of humor and love of color. While Brown was her maiden name, it was rarely a color used in her decorating. She loved to find humor in life and others were drawn to her because of it. She was a voracious reader, fan of a good Masterpiece Theatre series, and news junkie. There were few things that didn’t interest her. Ilsa was a devoted wife and mother. She loved Newel and all who knew her believe she had a heart-warming reunion with him after passing away. Her children will always remember her to be their greatest champion. She supported them in everything they did. She will be greatly missed. She is predeceased by her husband, Newel (2016) and her parents Charles Wesley Brown (2012), Ellen Olga Falk (1997). Surviving family are: Jennifer (Kirk) Alvord, Elisabeth (Wayne) Shelley, Suzanne (Dan) Burdick, Eric (Janet) Jorgensen, 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude for the genuine love and care given to Ilsa by the staff at River Meadows and the caretakers with Symbii Hospice and Home Health. Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 29th, at 2:00 pm, at the the Clubhouse at River Meadows Senior Living, 137 Red Pine Drive, Alpine, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior to services from 1:00 to 1:45 pm. Interment in Highland City Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah. There will be a luncheon for attendees at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 165 North 100 East, Alpine, Utah. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.