Thomas Phillip Jorgens, age 79, most recently of Long Lost Lake near Bagley, MN, passed away on August 26 at his winter home in Roseville, MN. Born on July 14,1947 in Bertha, MN, to Joseph and Anna Fjeld Jorgens. Tom grew up on a farm in Bertha and graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School where he was active in sports and FFA. He continued his education with a Master's Degree and a doctoral dissertation in Agricultural Economics at the University of MN Twin Cities where he met his bride. In 1970 he married Michal Kulenkamp, and together they shared 56 wonderful years of marriage and raised two daughters, Gwen and Amber.

Tom had many passions, including a deep love for nature, his gardens, the Boundary Waters, his family and friends and his Norwegian heritage. He was dedicated to creating a positive impact in his community, and was a true entrepreneur at heart. After teaching economics at U of M, he moved to rural Minnesota to be Director of Regional Development Commissions in Appleton, then Crookston. He remained in Crookston for 34 years before retiring to his home on Long Lost Lake. With his drive to serve his community and his visionary focus he worked with many area groups and businesses to maintain the region’s economic strength and improve the quality of life in Northwestern Minnesota.

In 1986 he founded MetaDynamics which focused on business development services instrumental in shaping organizations such as the NW Regional Development Commission and NW MN Foundation. He played a key advisory role in transitioning the University of MN Crookston campus to a four-year institution. He partnered with legislators to create the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the area’s first business incubator, Valley Technology Park. His interest in ag products and food science led him to develop a new venture by 2000: PolyCell Technologies, a bioscience company which markets barley beta-glucans worldwide. Tom was also active in local government, holding many city and township leadership roles. He was an active officer in the local Lions Club, headed countless charity drives, and served on the local hospital board.

Tom is survived by his wife Michal; daughters Gwendolyn (Tom Harty), of Golden Valley MN, Amber Halenbeck, son-in-law Scott Halenbeck, grandchildren Blythe, Lily and Leif (Wolfie) Halenbeck of Duluth MN, special nieces Kathy Massee, Janice Jorgens (Scott), Gayle Jorgens (Stan Wai) of Minneapolis and Phyllis Krautbauer (Dwayne) of Osakis MN, and dear friends of the Long Lost Lake community. He was preceded in death by brother Gerald, sisters Helen Melchert and Almyra Kapphahn. He will be remembered as a beloved father, husband, grandfather and uncle who took great joy in sharing his passions with those he loved.

A celebration of life service will be held on September 20, 2026 from 1pm-4pm, with a short service starting at 1:30pm, Brookview Golden Valley, 316 Brookview Parkway S, Golden Valley, MN 55426. A celebration of life in northern Minnesota will be held at the Bagley Public Library on October 17, 2026, from 1pm-4pm. Donations are suggested to charities that were dear to Tom: Blood Cancer United, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, or Friends of the Boundary Waters.