Milton "Tony" J. Jorgenson

Milton "Tony" J. Jorgenson, 89, of Coon Valley, died Tuesday March 9, 2010 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. He was born April 4, 1920 to Melvin and Johanne (Haugen) Jorgenson in Coon Township, Vernon County. He was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. He graduated from Central High School in La Crosse in 1938. Tony married Ruth Engh on June 24, 1941 in Minneapolis. She died June 7, 1997. Tony was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He was a member of the 25th Infantry Division and fought on the island of Luzon, Philippines. He was also on the Recon. Patrol. After the war ended, he was in the army occupation forces in Japan. Tony worked for many years as a welder at Trane Co. and retired in 1982. He was a well known banjo player who played in various polka bands in the area - the most recent being Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen. Tony lived his whole life in Coon Valley until 2003 when he moved in with his daughter Rachel (Larry) Strangstalien. In May 2009, after breaking his hip, he moved to Norseland Nursing Home.

Survivors include 6 children, Rachel (Larry) Strangstalien of Westby, Dwain (Jackie) of Coon Valley, Carolyn (Gary) Fish of Waupun, Donald of McFarland, Mark (Betty) of Coon Valley and James (Lisa) of Andover, MN; 16 grandchildren Jeff (Jill), Trent (Sheri), Randy (Ann) and Jon (Jen) Strangstalien, Lori (Troy) Longie, Brandon Arenz, Tracy (Luis) Bonilla, Jason (Melissa) Fish, Lisa (Sean) Fromolz, Johanna, Lauren, Morgan, Arron, Erik and Brett Jorgenson and Allison West; 19 great grandchildren Stefanie (Jed) Smith, Brady, Jennifer, Holly, Jacob, Sam, Kennedy and Emersen Strangstalien, Ana, Philip and Anthony Bonilla, Makenzie and Madigan Fish, Tyler and Hunter Fromolz, Teagan, Avery and Hudson Longie and Andrea Cade; a brother Leonard (Bergetta) of Coon Valley, 3 sisters-in-law, Karen (Sonny) Zielke, La Vonne and Jo Engh; a brother-in-law Richard (Audrey) Engh and nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife Ruth, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Laurie Jorgenson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday March 12, 2010 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Coon Valley American Legion Post # 116. Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Friday from 12:30 until services.