Mortensen, Earl Otto 1913-2005

MORTENSEN, FREEZE, MENDENHALL, YOST, VILLALOBOS

Posted By: Bruce Atkinson (email)
Date: 8/27/2008 at 22:52:47

Earl O. Mortensen, 92, of Akron, and formerly of Audubon, died Saturday, July 9, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital.
Earl Otto Mortensen was born May 3, 1913, on the family farm near Audubon, the son of Phillip and Margaret (Freeze) Mortensen. He attended country school near Audubon. Following his schooling, he helped his father on the family farm. He was united in marriage to Mildred Jane Mendenhall on March 3, 1938, in Atlantic. The couple farmed near Audubon, for several years. They later owned and operated a gas station, café, and trucking business in Audubon. Earl also worked for W.J. Dixon Lumber and later United Building Centers in Audubon.
After a number of years, they moved to Spencer, and managed the Super 8 Motel and later the Grand Motel in Spencer. Later, they moved to Storm Lake, where they managed the Lamplighter Motel. While in Storm Lake, they also managed the Paradise Park Apartment complex for several years. In 2003, they moved to Akron, and in March 2004, they became residents of the Akron Care Center. Mildred died Feb. 19, 2005.
Earl was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audobon. He enjoyed gardening, farming, and woodworking. He also loved carpentry and remodeling his home and businesses. While in the care center, he enjoyed playing in the Bell Choir.
Survivors include his three sons, Don Mortensen and his wife, Karen of Akron, Duane Mortensen and his wife, Mardelle of Altoona, and Dennis Mortensen and his partner, Jeff Fancher of Sioux City; five grandchildren: Mike Mortensen and his wife, Lynn, Shelley Yost and her husband, Chad, Marc Mortensen and his wife, JoAnne, Jill Villalobos and her husband, Leo, and Kevin Mortensen and his wife, Allie; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elmer and LeRoy; his wife; and a grandson, Corrie Mortensen.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Audubon United Methodist Church in Audubon, with the Rev. Dwayne Ferguson officiating. Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. Tuesday with the family present after 6 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the Carlsen Funeral Home-Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday at the church. Casketbearers will be Richard Mortensen, Robert Mortensen, Leo Villalobos, Merlyn Mortensen, Merlin Mendenhall, and Gary Mendenhall.

~ LeMars Daily Sentinel of 12 July 2005