Mortensen, Earl O. (1913-2005)

MORTENSEN, FREEZE

Posted By: John Schulte (email)
Date: 7/14/2005 at 15:06:26

Audubon County Advocate

Funeral services for Earl O. Mortensen, 92, of Akron, formerly of Audubon, were conducted July 14, 2005 at the Audubon United Methodist Church in Audubon, with Reverend Dwayne Ferguson officiating. Interment was in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Casket bearers were Richard Mortensen, Robert Mortensen, Leo Villalobos, Merlyn Mortensen, Merlin Mendenhall and Gary Mendenhall.

Earl Otto Mortensen, the son of Phillip and Margaret Freeze Mortensen was born May 3, 1913, on the family farm near Audubon and died July 9, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital.

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 of 2004, they became residents of the Akron Care Center. Mildred passed away Feb. 19, 2005.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Elmer and LeRoy; his wife; and a grandson, Corrie Mortensen.

Earl is survived by his three sons: Don Mortensen and his wife, Karen of Akron; Duane Mortensen and wife, Mardelle of Altoona; and Dennis Mortensen and his partner, Jeff Fancher of Sioux City; five grandchildren: Mike Mortensen and wife, Lynn; Shelley Yost and husband, Chad; Marc Mortensen and wife, JoAnne; Jill Villalobos and husband, Leo; and Kevin Mortensen and wife, Allie; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.