Ivan Jorgensen

JORGENSEN, Ivan

December 16, 1953 – May 4, 2022

Ivan Jorgensen passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Red Deer hospice, on Wednesday, “May the Fourth be with you”, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ivan was born in Esberg, Denmark on Dec 16, 1953, the youngest of four sons to Ejler Vik & Mika Jorgensen. The family immigrated to Canada in 1958. Ivan spent his childhood in Manitoba where his father worked for various farmers. As a young man his mother was diagnosed with MS. Ivan cared for her throughout her illness and into her final days, which helped shape him into the caring man he became. While attending university, Ivan saw a sign for skydiving, which became the first leap to over 1200 jumps for “Skydivin’ Ivan!”

At Age 25, Ivan biked across Canada for an adventure but also to raise money for cancer in his father’s honor. He eventually followed his father to Calgary, AB where they worked together landscaping before sharing a postal delivery route between Calgary and Red Deer. This is where he would come to meet his wife, Debbie. They would often play cards during breaks or grab a drink after their shift with friends.

Debbie was sad when he cut his long hair for their first date.

Ivan and Debbie were married on Aug 3 1985 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Throughout life’s many ups and downs they raised three successful children together. Ivan was a wonderful father to Matthew, Daniel and Emily, and would do anything for them. It didn’t matter when or where he was needed; late night pickups, lawn mowing, or life advice. Ivan will forever live on in our memories and we owe our appreciation of all things adventurous, our passion for music, travel, golf, space and nature to him. We enjoyed many family trips to the mountains, shared a love of music and were always up for playing cards. In recent years the family travelled to Denmark to visit Danish relatives, travelled around Europe, and Hawaii.

In the early years, Debbie and Ivan started their own landscaping business and worked on many familiar sites around Red Deer. However, after sustaining a back injury, Ivan then found his calling as a taxi driver. Many people have reached out to us saying how Ivan affected them, changed their life, how he was always there at the right time. Ivan saw the best in people and made everyone feel special whether it be a stranger, friend, or family. He will forever be remembered, by those he touched throughout his life. Rest in peace Drivin’ Ivan. “My humility to humankind will be my ticket to heaven” he said.

Ivan is lovingly remembered by his wife, Debbie Bohnke; three children, Matthew Bohnke-Jorgensen, Daniel Bohnke-Jorgensen and Emily Sorensen (Trevor); his siblings, Alex Jorgensen (Laura), Thor Jorgensen (with the recent passing of Sue Sue), Greg Jorgensen (Pat); as well as many loving friends, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ivan is predeceased by his parents, Ejler Vik, and Mika Jorgensen.

There will not be a formal service per Ivan’s wishes. We will gather for a Celebration of Life, and a memory bench will be placed in Ivan’s Honor at McKenzie Trails later this summer. 

Special thanks to the staff at the Red Deer Hospice, his palliative home care team and Dr. Rautenbach.

In Lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Red Deer Hospice in Ivan’s Memory, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, AB  T4R 3S6.

Run Hike for RD Hospice 2022 - In Honor of Ivan Jorgensen - Canadahelps

 “To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.”- Ralph Waldo