All are welcome to join Kermit’s friends and family for a short graveside service at the island cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Military honors will be observed at Trinity following the graveside, and, after that, a time for cake and coffee in the fellowship hall. All are welcome.

Kermit Jorgenson, age 86, a lifelong resident of Washington Island, Wisconsin, passed away on July 23, 2026.

Kermit was born on December 4, 1939, to Leonard and Sylvia (Gunnlaugsson) Jorgenson on Washington Island. Growing up on the Island, he learned the value of hard work early, spending countless childhood hours working in local fields picking potatoes and cherries. Whenever he wasn't working, he was on a ballfield, playing baseball with family, neighbors, and friends. After graduating from Washington Island School in 1957, Kermit took his passion for the game further, traveling south to play in the Jack Rossitier Baseball School in Florida.

His talent earned him a contract with the Washington Senators. In 1961, he received a $500 signing bonus, $100 a week, and room and board. Though complications with gout ultimately cut his professional baseball career short, his love for the game and stories from those days remained a point of pride throughout his life.

Following his time in baseball, Kermit served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. Upon completing his military service, he worked briefly in Kenosha before returning to his roots on Washington Island. Back home, he took a position at Njord Heim Marina, where he played a hands-on role in establishing the island's new deep-water marina and shipyard. His daily duties were anything but ordinary, operating heavy cranes and blasting bedrock beneath the lakebed with dynamite to shape the harbor.

Around this time, Kermit met Jill Jessen. The two were married on November 4, 1972, at Trinity Lutheran Church on Washington Island, followed by a lively reception at Karly’s Bar, owned by Jill’s father. Together, Kermit and Jill built a life on the Island and welcomed two children: Jennifer, born in 1974, and Daniel, born in 1977.

Kermit worked for a few years sailing on the Great Lakes before following in his father’s footsteps to take a career at REA Electric Coop. He spent 23 years keeping the power running for his fellow islanders, maintaining a strong work ethic until his retirement in 2002.

Beyond his professional life, Kermit was an outdoorsman through and through. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener who believed in working with his hands. He was widely known for his smoked fish—particularly his chubs and salmon—which relied on a secret, carefully guarded brine recipe that was perfectly balanced and never too salty. Enjoying a warm, freshly smoked chub straight out of Kermit's smoker was a signature experience for family and friends. In his garden, he cultivated an abundant yield of fresh vegetables, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, and plums. He put his harvest to good use, crafting legendary homemade cordials with his black raspberry and plum varieties being celebrated family favorites.

While Kermit took pride in his work and hobbies, his greatest joy in his later years was his role as a grandfather to Jorgen, Anders, and Celise. A natural with babies, Kermit would contentedly hold the infants for entire visits, and they happily soaked up his calm presence. As they grew, his time with them was defined by constant laughter, shared projects, and endless rounds of card games.

Kermit delighted in playing cards with his grandkids, especially games like "dirty eight." His dry humor and quick wit were always on display at the card table, and nothing brought out his trademark grin quite like laying down a winning hand against them. The grandchildren cherished their visits to Washington Island, and when travel was difficult, distance was no obstacle—Kermit regularly made the 9 hour round trip, complete with the ferry ride, to bring them to the Island himself. Together, they spent countless hours baking with flour-covered faces, fishing along the shoreline, boiling maple sap, pushing wheelbarrows in the garden, and building snowmen in the winter.

Kermit was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jill; his parents, Leonard and Sylvia; and his brother, Lonnie.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Gavin) Hegg; his son, Daniel Jorgenson; his brothers, Perry and Russie; his sister, Joyce; and his three cherished grandchildren, Jorgen, Anders, and Celise. He also leaves behind a large extended family and a deep network of lifelong friends across Door County and beyond.

A memorial service will be held on Washington Island at a later date.

For those wishing to honor Kermit’s memory, memorial donations may be made to:

WICHP 1765 Townline Rd. Washington Island, WI 54246

Trinity Lutheran Church 1763 Townline Rd. Washington Island, WI 54246