Eleanor Wilcox Jorgenson

Hastings resident Eleanor Wilcox Jorgenson, 92, passed away Friday, November 8, 2024, at The Heritage at College View, Hastings, NE. 

Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 23, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett officiating. Private family burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. A book signing will be 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, November 22, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Hastings or Hastings College Thomas C. and Eleanor W. Jorgenson Endowed Scholarship. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Eleanor’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Eleanor was born December 20, 1931, in Sheridan, WY to Albyn and Evelyn (Black) Wilcox. She graduated from Sheridan High School in Wyoming in 1949. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree (Vocal music) from Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA in 1953 where she was president of the Mortar Board honorary society. Eleanor distinguished herself at Grinnell winning prestigious awards and competitions for her beautiful contralto voice. She was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Society and was the graduation soloist. 

Eleanor was united in marriage to her junior high sweetheart Thomas Jorgenson on June 18, 1953, in Sheridan. Shortly after the wedding, Tom was inducted into the Army and they moved to Fort Ord, CA for his service. While in California, Eleanor taught elementary music.

Following Tom’s discharge, the couple relocated to Hastings, NE where Eleanor taught briefly in Sutton, NE before dedicating her time and skills to raising their three children. Later Eleanor returned to work, taking a job at Dutton-Lainson.

Eleanor was active in the GK chapter of PEO and continued to support music as an active fundraiser and supporter of the Hastings Community Concert Association.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She sang in the choir for over 50 years, served as an elder, and was active in Presbyterian Women.

Throughout her life, she found delight and support in her friendships, which she treasured. 

Eleanor was preceded in death by her beloved Tom; her parents; and her sister, Muriel Bell.

She is survived by her children, Jon (Laurel), Mark (Mary), and Sara (Tony) Berutti as well as her grandchildren, Katie (Marc Harman) Jorgenson, Jennifer (Jared) Petsche, Ellen (Brett Woods) Jorgenson, Emily Jorgenson, Molly Jorgenson, David (Mariana Catano) Jorgenson, Tyler Jorgenson, Lindsie (Eric) Prunchak, and Kacie (Andrew) Eurek and great-grandchildren, Violette and Jonas Harman, Teddy and Eloise Woods, Quinn Prunchak, and Lucia Jorgenson-Catano.