Dorothy Marie Jorgensen, 81, passed away on October 14, 2026, while surrounded by family at Birch Creek Assisted Living in Smithfield, Utah, according to an obituary published October 15.
Born on June 27, 1945, in Logan, Utah, Jorgensen lived a life characterized by creativity, business ownership, and service to her family and community.
Jorgensen was the daughter of Lear and Leonore Jorgensen. She grew up in Grace, Idaho, alongside her younger brother, Bruce Jorgensen. Following her graduation from Grace High School in May 1963, she married Gail Roholt on July 20, 1963.
Together, Dorothy and Gail raised six children: Karla, Deita, Kody, Mike, Leslie, and Dusty. Dorothy also served as a foster mother for several years. She leaves behind a legacy that includes 30 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Jorgensen held various positions in hospitality, retail, office work, and business ownership. She owned Dot’s Quilt & Sew, a fabric shop in Preston, Idaho, and later owned Teton Loans in Washington, Utah.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in various callings. In her later years, she resided at Birch Creek Assisted Living Center in Smithfield, where she enjoyed playing bingo and creating art projects.
Jorgensen's family resided in several locations, including Gelnhausen, Germany, for two years during Gail's Army service. Other locations included Kemmerer, Wyoming; Mink Creek and Thatcher, Idaho; and Garland, Hurricane, and Smithfield, Utah.
A viewing is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Thatcher/Williams Ward Church, located at 2060 Niter Bench Road in Grace, Idaho.
A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the same location, with interment to follow at Grace Cemetery. Services will be available to stream live on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 12:00 noon MDT.
She is survived by her children, 30 grandchildren, and 51 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lear and Leonore Jorgensen; her brother, Bruce Jorgensen; and great-grandson, Hoss Hemsley.
