Amy June Currier Jorgensen
June 11, 1920 ~ Dec. 1, 2018 Resident of Saratoga
A Saratoga native, Amy June Currier Jorgensen passed away at her home on Saratoga Avenue. It was on this same property, which had been in her pioneer family since 1878, that she was born on June 11, 1920, to Jean B. and Frederick J. Currier. She attended Saratoga Grammar School, Los Gatos High School and San Jose State College, where she was a member of the Ero Sophian Sorority. In 1941 she graduate with honors with degrees in English and Business. For the next two years she worked for the college as a secretary in the Comptroller’s Office. In 1943 she became a war bride, marrying SJ State classmate, John G. Jorgensen, formerly from Fremont. He was a 1st. Lieutenant in the 10th. Mt. Division, US Army, training for mountain duty at Camp Hale, Colorado. She traveled with her husband to Colorado, Texas and Georgia. When he went overseas with his outfit to participate in the battle of the Po Valley and the Apennine Mountains of Italy, Amy June returned to the family ranch in Saratoga. After the war, John, now promoted to Captain, returned to continue his studies, completing his MBA at Stanford University.
The couple raised 3 children at “Rawdon Dell Ranch” on Saratoga Avenue and both began to participate in local service organizations. Amy June served on boards of 3 PTA’s, Good Government Group of Saratoga, Saratoga Historical Foundation, Friends of Saratoga Libraries, Clerk of the Saratoga Federated Church, and was President of West Valley College Wives Club, Saratoga Foothill Club, Los Gatos Chapter NSDAR, Chapter OO. P.O.E. Sisterhood, Santa Clara Reciprocity Bureau of P.E.O. and Saratoga Federated Church Women’s Auxiliary. She was a member of Saratoga Sister City, AAUW, Montalvo Foundation, Moffett Field Historical Association, Circle City, Alaska Historical Association and the Hakone Garden Foundation.
John retained membership in the United States Officers Reserve, eventually retiring as a Full Colonel. The summers saw him doing duty in various military venues from Camp Roberts to the Pentagon. The family often traveled with him across and around the United States, visiting all 48 states, staying at military installations. It was an educational experience for all. Later, when the children were away at college, John and Amy June enjoyed a 6 month sabbatical in Europe thanks to West Valley College where John was a business instructor for 25 years and later Head of the Business Division. The couple became world travelers.
After John’s untimely and unexpected death, Amy June maintained her interest in community activities and travel. She continued to travel with members of her family and the West Valley College business group. On her 90th birthday, four generations gathered to celebrate with her at the family home.
Survivors include son Kirke Currier Jorgensen (Venita) of Riverside, son Locke Currier Jorgensen of Fremont, daughter Rilla Jorgensen Betz of San Luis Obispo, grandchildren, Erik Jorgensen (Natalie) of Vienna, Austria, Kia Jorgensen Koch (Adam) of Sacramento, Kevan Betz and Brian Betz (Sarah) of San Luis Obispo and 4 great grandchildren, Lilly Betz, Christopher Betz, Andrew Koch and Evan Jorgensen.
A Private memorial service has been held, with inurnment following at Madronia Cemetery. Memorials would be greatly appreciated to Saratoga Foothill Club Historical Landmark Foundation, P.O. Box 223, Saratoga, CA. 95070