Daryl Ann Jorgensen

Jul 18, 1947 — Jul 30, 2026

Brewster, Kansas

Daryl Ann Jorgensen. Photo courtesy of Bateman Funeral Home

Daryl Ann Jorgensen slipped quietly away to meet her Lord and Savior on July 30, 2026. She was surrounded by comfort, peace, and those she loved during her final days at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas. She was 79 years old.

Daryl Ann was born on July 18, 1947, the first daughter of Alvin and Allie Helin. Her early years were idyllic and shaped by her small hometown of Brewster, where she attended USD 314 from first grade through senior year, class of ‘65. Following, she earned a Bachelor’s of Business degree from Fort Hays State University, laying the foundation for an accomplished career in accounting and public service.

Daryl Ann dedicated all her adult years to serving her community, most notably giving 35 years as Clerk of the Board for USD 314, and upon retirement, managing the books for the City of Brewster. She was a tremendous source of encouragement to countless young teachers and a patient, steady guide to at least seven superintendents throughout her school tenure. Her work was synonymous with diligence and accuracy, friendship, integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to her community.

On March 20, 1971, Daryl Ann married Russell W. Jorgensen in Brewster, Kansas, beginning a love story that flourished for more than 55 years. Together they built a strong and loving family and formed lasting loving friendships in their community. In return, the selfless people of Brewster along with dear friends in surrounding towns, cared for them in extraordinary ways as they walked beside Daryl Ann during her long and courageous eleven-year battle with sarcoma.

Daryl Ann’s greatest legacy will be her devotion to her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Russell Jorgensen; daughters, Jill (Justin) Stewart of Quinter, Kansas, and Jina (Zef) Arroyo of Billings, Montana; her brother, Jerry (Doris) Helin of Moore, Oklahoma; and her brother-in-law, Bill Metzler, husband of her late sister Andrea Sue, of Crossville, Tennessee.

She treasured her six grandchildren, Cole, Landon, and Brody Arroyo, and Josie, Jorgen, and Joya Stewart. Each carries sweet memories of Grandma J. and were blessed by her warmth, tender care, wise counsel, unwavering encouragement, and unconditional love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Alvin and Allie Helin, and her cherished younger sister, Andrea “Sue” Metzler. Their loving example and enduring values were defining traits Daryl Ann carried throughout her life.

Beyond her professional accomplishments and devotion to family, Daryl Ann delighted in life’s simple pleasures: a drive through the countryside, camping in the mountains, watching Hallmark movies, cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks and Chiefs, making Christmas fudge, tending her spectacular flower gardens, and even keeping a dish full for the occasional neighborhood stray kitty. She was exceptionally gifted in the kitchen. Russell loved her fried chicken. Josie always looked forward to Grandma’s chili, while Jill and Jina treasured her apple pie. She faithfully delivered hearty harvest meals to Russell and crew in the fields, summer through fall. And each and every morning they parted with a goodbye kiss that never failed to make their daughters smile, blush, and roll their eyes all at once.

Coffee was rarely far from her hand, and sweater vests were as much a part of her as her warm smile. She found delight in Charlie Brown and Snoopy, treasured the playful big sister banter she shared with her brother Jerry, and never missed an opportunity for a little good-natured teasing. A woman of deep and unwavering Christian faith, Daryl Ann faithfully served for many years as organist and pianist at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Through weddings, funerals, Sunday mornings, and countless ordinary services, her music lives in the memories of generations of Brewster families.

Perhaps Daryl Ann’s greatest gift was her quiet strength. She endured, after chemotherapy damaged her kidneys, nearly three years of dialysis, making exhausting day-long trips two to three times each week for life-sustaining treatments in Hays. She met each challenge with the same quiet determination and resilience that defined her life. She never sought sympathy or complained. Instead, she simply kept loving, serving, encouraging, and trusting God. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, genuine humility, welcoming heart, unwavering faith, and the way she made those around her feel deeply valued and loved. Her legacy lives on in family, church, community, and in her countless quiet acts of love that will echo through generations.

The community is invited to honor Daryl Ann’s life during a visitation on Monday, August 3, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. CT at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 200 Main Street, Brewster, Kansas. A funeral service will be held at the church on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CT. Interment will follow at Brewster Cemetery, County Road 2, Brewster. Memorials may be designated to the Daryl Ann Jorgensen Memorial Fund in care of Russell Jorgensen and may be left at the services or sent to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, Kansas 67735. Condolences and additional information are available at www.batemanfuneral.com.