Liv Aslaug Gotten Jurgensen, 91, died peacefully at her home in north Seattle Sunday, September 4, 2011. She was born in Aalesund, Norway, December 28, 1919 to Elling and Kaia Gotten and had one sister, Gerd. She graduated from high school and went on to business school in Aalesund. In 1939, Liv started working for the Aalesund police station, operating the switchboard, posting correspondence and other secretarial duties. After World War II, she worked as recording secretary to the Norwegian prosecuting attorney when he was trying war crime cases in Aalesund. In 1949, Liv took a leave of absence and traveled to the US to stay with her aunt and uncle in Seattle. She worked as a nanny and took English classes at Seattle Community College. While visiting her cousin in Wilbur, Washington in April, 1950, Liv met Elmer Jurgensen, an Air Force pilot who then began making “training flights” in P-51’s from Spokane to Sand Point, Seattle to see Liv. In June 1950, he flew over with a ring. Liv said “yes.” Elmer joked that she didn’t know how to say “no” in English. They were married July 22, 1950 and their first home was in Spokane. The Air Force later moved them to England, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Spokane (again) and Arizona. Along the way, Liv always made friends and kept in regular contact with family and friends in Norway and the US.

Liv made every home they had a haven for her family. She made sure her four daughters had secure, wonderful, carefree childhoods with lots of laughter. Liv modeled a quiet, faithful life. She kept alive Norwegian traditions, especially at holidays, baking Norwegian Christmas cookies and other delicacies. Liv was loving, self-sacrificing, practical, and made do with what the family could afford. Her hands were never idle, embroidering beautiful tablecloths, knitting and doing needlepoint. Though she was a “city girl”, she learned to camp in the rough with Elmer and the girls where there was sometimes not even an outhouse! Liv enjoyed the travels that came with being an Air Force wife but always longed for a permanent home. When Elmer retired from the Air Force in 1966, they bought a home in north Seattle that she made into a family gathering place. She was a gracious hostess and loved to entertain family and friends.

The family joined Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Ballard and Liv was an active member, participating in Bible studies and the Martha/Rebecca circle. For many years, she and Elmer visited the sick and homebound members of the congregation. Liv also sang with the “Late Bloomers” ladies group and was a member of Sunmoreslaget, a Norwegian lodge for people with ties to Sunmore, her district in Norway.

Liv was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, who died July 23, 2010, one day after their 60th wedding anniversary. Left to cherish her memory are four daughters, Kaya (Mike) Shimer of Edmonds, Christy (Jim who died October 28, 2010) of Poulsbo, Shirley Jurgensen of Seattle and Ellen Jurgensen (Bryan Lundin) of Seattle. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kaia Lofall, Adam Shimer, Siri Lofall, Shirley Shimer and by two great-grandchildren, Caleb Lofall and Jaylin Nelson.

Burial will be at Evergreen Washelli, Pacific Lutheran Section, Saturday, September 24, 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 2400 NW. 85th St., Seattle, at 11:00 a.m.