Dale Irvin Jergensen passed away July 15, 2019 at the age of 101 at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte. Jergensen was born October 6, 1917 in North Platte. He was the son of Ole Ludvig Jergensen from Denmark and Alma Wicklund of Sweden, and grandson of Nels Peter Jergensen and Anne Marie Larsen from Denmark, who immigrated to the U.S. in New York on May 5, 1888.

Jergensen got a job with the Union Pacific after high school and then enlisted in the Navy and served as a Merchant Marine radio operator during World War II. On March 27, 1950, he married Mildred Ruth Swift of Roscoe, who was working as a telegrapher with Union Pacific. They were married 58 years and had three sons, Michael, Steven, and Kent. Mildred died of cancer in 2008.

Jergensen and his wife were followers of Jesus and were involved in the First Baptist Church, where he was born and raised, became a member in 1929, and continued attending as long as he was able. During Jergensen's more than 40 years at the railroad as brakeman and later conductor, he served two terms as Local Chairman Union Representative for the Third District Trainmen. Following his retirement in 1982, he enjoyed volunteering with local organizations. He served two terms with United Way and 15 years with Living History, which included tutoring in elementary schools. He volunteered two years at the Golden Spike Tower and is featured on the welcome video. For 15 years, he put up the weekly "wisdom" message on the First Baptist Church sign. For 8 years, he served with Diamond K Kiwanis as a representative on the Babies Can't Wait committee. He also served with the Kiwanis' Reading Is Fundamental program, reading books to preschool children and giving them those books. He volunteered 25 years with the Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program, delivering meals to shut-ins.

He loved gardening and gained the title of Master Gardener, volunteering 9 years with the Master Gardener program in the North Platte community. He enjoyed life, laughter, walking, and meeting people and loved to share stories from his life and work on the railroad. He loved to learn and share histories and information at Living History and Kiwanis meetings. He was dearly loved by family and friends, and we will miss him!

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mildred, and son, Steven.

He is survived by his sons Michael (Cindy) Jergensen of Curtis and Kent (Kristi) Jergensen of Lexington; daughter-in-law Diane (Mike) Wright of Omaha; grandchildren Kristina (Will) Winchester of North Platte, Daniel (Vanessa) Jergensen of Durango, Col., David (Alyssa) Jergensen of Durango, Col., Charissa (Matt) Nuttleman of Lincoln, Kirsten Jergensen of Lincoln, Corey Jergensen of Lincoln, and Caleb (Alexandria) Jergensen of Kansas City, Mo.; and great-grandchildren Samuel, Joshua, Rebekah, and Abigail Winchester, Ingrid and Lucy Jergensen, Adeline Jergensen, River, Lydia, Jericho, Jubilee and Cherish Nuttleman, and Harper Jergensen.

A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com .  Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, at First Baptist Church with Pastor Clint Walker officiating. Inurnment will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at a later date. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.