Matthew John Jergeson, 34, passed away on Feb. 8, 2009, in Helena, Mont., due to injuries suffered in a car accident.
Matthew was born Dec. 27, 1974, in Havre, Mont. He was the middle child of Roger and Nita (Ewing) Jergeson. Matt grew up on his family’s farm south of Chinook, Mont. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1993 and attended college at Montana State University-Bozeman. Matt married Jody Tangen in March 1995, and their first son, Tanner, was born later that year. Matt earned his civil engineering degree from MSU in 1998 and moved his young family to Kennewick, Wash., where he worked for an engineering firm named TetraTech. He relocated to Helena with the same company in 1999, and his second son, Thomas, was born that year. Matt began working for Morrison Maierle as a water resources engineer in 2000, and he earned his professional engineering license in 2003. Matt always excelled at everything he did, whether it was athletics, academics, building houses, playing with his nephews and niece, or loving his sons. His great loves in life were his children and the farm he grew up on. He made a special effort to take his boys to the farm, spending time there working and playing. Matt was a charismatic people- person. Anywhere he went, he would instantly make new friends. He always had a story to tell, sometimes with a little embellishment. He was a loyal friend, a devoted son, a doting uncle and a wonderful, special father. Matt will be missed forever and remembered always. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Elizabeth Jergeson and Charles Ewing, and his uncle, Ronald Ewing. Matt is survived by his children, Tanner and Thomas, and their mother, Jody (Tangen) Jergeson of Helena; parents, Roger and Nita (Ewing) Jergeson of Chinook; brother, Michael (and Eloise) Jergeson of Missoula; sister, Erin (and Pat) Drynan of Helena; nephews Jack Drynan and Hank Jergeson and niece Kate Drynan; grandmother Frances Ewing (and Lawrence Siemens) of Chinook; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A vigil service will be held at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Chinook, Mont., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at 11 a. m. A memorial fund has been set up at American Federal Bank in Matt’s name. Donations can be sent to 1400 Prospect Ave., Helena, MT, 59601. Arrangements are by Retz Funeral Home of Helena and Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
