Carmen Marlene Jorgensen, age 86, of Dover, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born January 11, 1936, in Estherville, Iowa, to Weldon "Binnie" Herman and Carol Opal Fosgren Brandt.

Carmen was an only child, raised on the family farm in Swea City, Iowa. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, where she graduated with an Elementary Education degree, and started her first job teaching kindergarten in Swea City.

May 25, 1957, Carmen, and Wayne married, and later had two children, Sonja, and Wade. On a trip to Arkansas with Wayne's brother Bob, and sister-in-law, Dorothy, they fell in love with the area. Soon after in 1969, they moved to Dover to begin a new adventure and start a family farm raising hogs. Carmen took on a leadership role in the Pork industry, serving as the president of the Pork Association, where she traveled the globe, advocating for women in agriculture.

In 1983, Carmen and Sonja started the Copper Pig, a gift shop in Russellville, and later expanded to Fayetteville and Clarksville. Carmen enjoyed working alongside her family, making lifelong friends, and creating memories at the store for 30 years.

After losing her husband in 2005, Carmen found another opportunity to keep the family working together. CBJ greyhounds was founded in 2007. Carmen's love for the dogs could only be compared to the love for her family.

Carmen cherished her family and travel! Some of our favorite memories were made on the road, seeing new places and learning as we drove.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Wayne Richard Jorgensen.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Sonja, and Robert Green; a son and daughter-in-law, Wade and Beth Jorgensen; four grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Ebner, Britni (Mitch) Green, Dakota Rupe, and Jordan Jorgensen; and three great-grandchildren, Kaeli, Abigail, and Lexie Ebner.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the Shinn Chapel, with Pastor William Ringer officiating. A private burial will be in North New Hope Cemetery in Dover, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends on Monday, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice Russellville, 2405 E. Parkway Dr. #3, Russellville AR, 72802.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com .