Ronald Mortensen (1931-2001)

MORTENSEN

Posted By: Patrick Turner (email)
Date: 2/24/2003 at 23:07:12

Thursday, February 8, 2001

Shelby

In Memory: Ronald LeRoy Mortensen

Ronald LeRoy Mortensen, 69, died Thursday, February 1, 2001 at his residence in Walnut as the result of a farm accident.

He was born on August 31, 1931 in Shelby, one of six children of Carl and Elsie Sarah Christina Green Balster Mortensen. He attended school in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1949.

Ronald married Avis Marie Richards in Shelby on May 18, 1952. They were the parents of a son, Richard and a daughter, Linda.

Ronald farmed near Shelby until moving to a farm north of Walnut in February of 1954. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Walnut and was active as an elder, Sunday school, superintendent, secretary and long-time choir member. For the past several years he sang with the Neola Community Choir.

Ronald served on the Walnut Community School Board for 15 years, serving as president for many of those years. He was also a member of the committee to build the addition.

He was an active member of many farm organizations and had worked for Knutson Funeral Home for the past seven years. Ronald was a loyal community sports fan and especially enjoyed the games when his children and grandchildren were involved.

Survivors include his wife Avis of Walnut; son Richard Mortensen and his wife Sue of Griswold and their children Bradley, David and Jennifer; daughter Linda Linden of Atlantic, son-in-law Gale Linden of Elk Horn and their children Jill and her husband Dave Niklasen of Petersen and Alan Linden of Lamoni; a great grandson, Zade Niklasen; a sister Rose and her husband Keith Kay of Council Bluffs; four brothers, Ted Balster and his wife Kay of Clarinda, Kagh Mortensen and his wife Wilma and Bob Mortensen and his wife Lois, all of Harlan, and George Mortensen and his wife Pat of Shelby; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral ceremonies were held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Walnut School Gymnasium, with Pastor Craig zumBrunnen officiating. The Neola Community Choir and Presbyterian Church Choir combined to perform "Because He Lives" for the service.

Interment was at the Shelby Cemetery.