Louetta Jorgenson

Louetta Varner Jorgenson was born on May 1, 1928, the youngest child of 11, into the loving family of John and Rhoda (Smith) Varner in Black Oak, Arkansas. Although she was raised during the depression, Louetta talked about how their family was never hungry because of the hard work of her parents. Her family affectionately called her Doodle Bug after a comic strip character and the nickname stayed with her. Little did they know that the youngest sister would become a formidable and prolific matriarch.

Louetta married and moved to the South Bay of Southern California, where she lived most of her life. She was a homemaker until she found a career in aerospace, at Northrop, TRW, and Hughes Aerospace Corporation. While at Northrop she soldered electrical parts, some of which were used in the NASA mission to the moon. After a break working, she was hired at Hughes where she soldered cells for solar panels and made and coated batteries which were used on satellites. She loved her work and her co-workers. After her retirement, which lasted nearly 36 years, she moved back to Arkansas, this time to Springdale, to be near her remaining siblings. While there she found purpose and joy in volunteering with the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association. Louetta proudly served on the board and was elected State President, a position she dearly loved and often recalled as the highlight of her work in life. After her siblings were gone, Louetta moved back to California to be near her children and grandchildren. She was known for, among many other things, her cooking - including fried chicken, chocolate pie, and chocolate cake which she lovingly prepared for Sunday dinners. Louetta shared her love, kindness, and generosity with everyone. She had a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes and loved to laugh. Louetta passed away peacefully at home with her daughters holding her hands on September 13, 2023. Her family will miss her very dearly; somehow 95 years was not enough.

Louetta (Lou, Doodle Bug, Aunt Doodle, Mom, Gram, GiGi) is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, spouses Pat Baker, Al Plantiko, and Joel Jorgenson, grandson Ronald Wayne Nies, stepson Joel Clay Jorgenson, and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by daughters Leaetta Faye Boyles (Robert) and Mary Anita Nies; step-children David Plantiko (April), Carla Loomis (Rhett), Brad Plantiko (Karen), Cindy Jorgenson, JoAnne Bolash (John), and Jonathan Jorgenson (Theresa); grandchildren Patricia Johns (Ralph), Curt Miller (Stacy), Andy Nies (Brittany), Jaime Nies, Janette Gorman (Tim), Carolyn Boyles (George Muehleck), Matthew Boyles, Robert West Boyles and Francis Boyles; by great-grandchildren Amy Johns (Drew Heiring), Jacob Johns, Jacie Miller, Abra Miller, Noah Miller, Hailey Eifert, Dorian Nies, Evie Nies, Tyler Clark, Angelita Clark, Grace Gorman, Elee Gorman, Sarah Muehleck, Naomi Muehleck, and Sam Muehleck, and many beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to Mary Nies, Jaime Nies, and Tyler Clark for sharing a loving and caring home with Louetta for the last many years of her life and for caring for her so devotedly. We love you.

Services and a reception will be held on October 9, 2023 at 11:30 at Green Hills Mortuary in Rancho Palos Verdes. If you wish to attend, please email patriciajohns@mac.com to RSVP and for details. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.