Clara Jorgensen: 1925-2020

Clara (Aman) Jorgensen, 95, died Nov. 20, 2020 in Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D. Clara was born to Edward and Emma (Woehl) Aman on May 21, 1925 in Freeman. She was baptized at Kassel Reformed Church where she remained a member until she got married.

She grew up on the farm northwest of Freeman and went to country school. She attended high school at Freeman Public where she met her husband.

Clara married Layne Sheldon Jorgensen on October 15, 1943 and moved to Layne’s farm southeast of Freeman. They farmed together there until her husband’s death in 1972 in a tractor accident. Clara then moved to Freeman and went to work at Coast to Coast for 16 years. Following that Clara worked two years for Raymond Hofer and eventually she was employed by the city of Freeman working in City Hall where she stayed until she retired in her early 80s.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Layne; two sons in infancy, Edward and Thomas; her father Edward and mother Emma Aman; granddaughter-in-law Corene Mehlhaf; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elda Stevens and her husband Harold; and Lily Stahl and her husband Sam.

She is survived by two daughters, Linda (Myron) Mehlhaf and Sally (Kent) Oorlog; six grandchildren: Brian Mehlhaf, Michael (Brenda) Mehlhaf, Darla (Brian) Anderson, Angela (Chad) Sedlacek, Travis (Angela) Oorlog and Ryan (Amber) Oorlog; 12 great-grandchildren: Devin (Emily) Mehlhaf, Jacob (Madison) Mehlhaf, Riley and Kaitlyn Mehlhaf, Kacey (Ashton) Fey, Cole Anderson, Abbey, Mason and Kenna Sedlacek, Leah and Brooklynn Oorlog, and Aryanna Oorlog; one great-great-grandchild, Everleigh Mehlhaf; and nieces and nephews.