Wendell Gilbert Mortensen, the son of Niels C. and Laura Dean Mortensen, was born November 10, 1919 on a farm north of Linn Grove, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Clay County, where he received his education in country schools and entered High School in Rossie, Iowa. Following his schooling, he worked on a farm for a short time before entering the military. He served his country with the U.S. Army during WWII from May 21, 1942 until his honorable discharge on November 9, 1945, serving in North Africa and Italy.
Wendell married Joy B. Jones on November 29, 1945. Following their marriage, they farmed near Royal from 1972 to 1982 when they moved to Mesa, AZ. The last few years of farming Wendell took two correspondence courses, one in mechanics and one in Locksmithing. He also worked at Help Services in Dreamland-Villa in Mesa for 20 years. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal and presently a member of the Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa.
Wendell passed away in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters and one brother.
He is survived by his wife, Joy of 60 years; one daughter, Marilyn (Gerald) Bohr of Westfield, IA; two sons: James (Phyllis) Mortensen of Waterloo, IA and George (Jill) Mortensen of Waterville, MN; 9 grandchildren; 4 great great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
SERVICES
:Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at the Warner Chapel in Spencer
OFFICIATING
Rev. Tonna Parsons
CASKET BEARERS
Matthew Bohr - Tony Bohr
Patrick Mortensen - Terry Johnson
Charles Bohr - Leah Mortensen
VISITATION
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Funeral Service
INTERMENT
North Lawn Memorial Park
Spencer, Iowa
MILITARY SERVICES
Glen Pedersen Post #1 - American Legion
Spencer, Iowa