The Life of CATHERINE M JURGENSEN
CATHERINE MARTHA (LEWIS) JURGENSEN
Born: June 8, 1903, Des Moines, Iowa to Harry A. and Alma Lewis
Died: March 9, 1974 in Des Moines, age 70
Catherine was born to be an elementary teacher! At the age of 19 with a two-year degree from Drake University, she taught at the Oralabor Mining Camp, followed over the years at Allerton (Iowa), Canary Lake (Saydel Schools, Des Moines), Polk City, Cambridge, Mingo, Madrid and the Iowa Juvenile Home on East Hull Avenue. She was also a traveling teacher for shut-in students in the Des Moines area.
The eldest of three sisters, Catherine was born at home near East 14th & Madison, lived all her life in Ankeny and Des Moines, where she received her public schooling, graduating from East Des Moines High School in 1921. Her early years were lived on various farms near Des Moines.
Following a five-year engagement, she married Marcus (Svaeren) Jurgensen on August 28, 1938 in a garden wedding at the Ankeny (IA) First United Methodist Church. Together they raised a foster daughter E. Paulyne Raver, a daughter Janis Gay (1939) and son, Burt Harry (1943).
While teaching full-time during the school year, Catherine took week-end and summer college courses for many years, finally graduating from Drake in 1968 with a BA Degree in Elementary Education and art minor.
Catherine was a proud, second-generation member of Epworth United Methodist Church and Auburn Chapter of Eastern Star in Highland Park.
Mrs. Jurgensen loved people and spent much of her spare time doing volunteer work. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years, taught 5th grade Sunday School at Epworth for 16 years and coached a neighborhood boys’ baseball team. Her other interests included PTA activities, neighborhood-level politics and raising pedigreed Collie puppies for pocket money.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 33 years. Survivors include a foster-daughter, E. Paulyne (Reynolds) Raver; daughter Janis (Robert D.) Meek; a son Burt (Donna) Jurgensen and five grandchildren: Marc David and Eric Nevin Meek; Curtis Wesley, Dana Lori and Breta Jurgensen. Also, two sisters: Ruth Ellen (John O.) Lindbeck, Des Moines and Alma Jane (Roy M) McCleary, Bondurant, several nieces and nephews in the greater Des Moines area and a host of friends, teaching colleagues and former students.