1919
Jeanette
2014
Jeanette Mortenson
November 22, 1919 — May 20, 2014
Memorial services for Jeanette Mortenson, of Albert Lea will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel. The Reverend Al Stoa will officiate. Interment will be held privately at a later date. Visitation will be held at Bonnerups from 5-7 pm on Friday, May 30.
Jeanette died on May 20, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Home. She was 94 years old.
Jeanette Mortenson was born November 22, 1919, and delivered at the family farm by her uncle, Dr. E. O. Vollum. She was the daughter of Martin and Laura (Johnsrud) Vollum, the middle child of one brother and three sisters. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and christened Helen Jeanette, however her first name was never used except for legal purposes. She was confirmed at East Freeborn Lutheran Church by the Reverend Finn Magelssen.
Her formal education began with eight years at country school #88, with graduation from Albert Lea High School in 1938. She was a lifelong learner enjoying books, conversations, and the internet to broaden her life.
She married Robert Franklin (Bob) Mortenson on May 11, 1941 and they lived their entire life in Albert Lea as the family business was the Albert Lea Milk Co.(Morlea Dairy). World War II interrupted their early married life so Jeanette returned to the family farm with daughter Barbara while Bob served three years in Africa. Later, two more daughters, Laurie and Susan, were born.
Jeanette was very active in Circles, Altar Guild, Bible School, and WELCA at Trinity Lutheran Church. Bob and she later joined First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where she was involved in the church's activities until her health declined.
She was a homemaker until their children completed their high school educations. She then worked for School District #241 and several years at Wilson's as a secretary to the General Managers.
She loved Albert Lea with its beauty, lakes, and especially the community activities. Her family, church, friends, neighborhood, and community were her life. She enjoyed serving on Boards for the Albert Lea Art Center, Civic Music Assoc., and Freeborn County Historical Museum Foundation. Interests were gardening, golf, bridge, writing, food, entertaining, traveling and sewing.
In her youth she was an active member of the Riceland 4-H Club, and it always amused her that she could say that she had been Miss Minnesota as she was crowned with that title at the State Fair for her sewing project. This qualified her to compete in her award winning outfit in Chicago with the other state winners.
Survivors include daughters; Laurie (Ted) Houlihan, Plaistow, NH;
Susan (Darrel) Gavle, Crystal Lake, IL; sister, Muriel Vollum, Charlotte, NC.;Grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jo Harter) Knutsen, Madison, WI, Cristen(Jeff) Sweet, Danville NH, John (Erin) Houlihan, Hampton, NH, David (Kari)Crystal Lake, IL, Katie Gavle, Madison WI. Great grandchildren: Kelsey, Laura, and Sylvia Knutsen, Molly and Phoebe Houlihan, Justin Sweet, Kirsten and Sophia Gavle. Local relatives include C.E. Vollum, Marilyn and Bill Danielsen, Staci and Jay Waltman family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, daughter Barbara, sister Margaret (Les) Anderson, brother Orville (Evelyn)Vollum, Elaine (George)Reed, in-law's Peter and Olena Mortenson, Phalvie Mortenson, Frankie (Danny) Danielsen, Alta (Amos) Christiansen.
Memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church Peace and Power or a charity of choice. The Family would like to recognize and thank St. John's First North staff and Crossroads Hospice for their exceptionally loving care.
Jeanette died on May 20, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Home. She was 94 years old.
Jeanette Mortenson was born November 22, 1919, and delivered at the family farm by her uncle, Dr. E. O. Vollum. She was the daughter of Martin and Laura (Johnsrud) Vollum, the middle child of one brother and three sisters. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and christened Helen Jeanette, however her first name was never used except for legal purposes. She was confirmed at East Freeborn Lutheran Church by the Reverend Finn Magelssen.
Her formal education began with eight years at country school #88, with graduation from Albert Lea High School in 1938. She was a lifelong learner enjoying books, conversations, and the internet to broaden her life.
She married Robert Franklin (Bob) Mortenson on May 11, 1941 and they lived their entire life in Albert Lea as the family business was the Albert Lea Milk Co.(Morlea Dairy). World War II interrupted their early married life so Jeanette returned to the family farm with daughter Barbara while Bob served three years in Africa. Later, two more daughters, Laurie and Susan, were born.
Jeanette was very active in Circles, Altar Guild, Bible School, and WELCA at Trinity Lutheran Church. Bob and she later joined First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea where she was involved in the church's activities until her health declined.
She was a homemaker until their children completed their high school educations. She then worked for School District #241 and several years at Wilson's as a secretary to the General Managers.
She loved Albert Lea with its beauty, lakes, and especially the community activities. Her family, church, friends, neighborhood, and community were her life. She enjoyed serving on Boards for the Albert Lea Art Center, Civic Music Assoc., and Freeborn County Historical Museum Foundation. Interests were gardening, golf, bridge, writing, food, entertaining, traveling and sewing.
In her youth she was an active member of the Riceland 4-H Club, and it always amused her that she could say that she had been Miss Minnesota as she was crowned with that title at the State Fair for her sewing project. This qualified her to compete in her award winning outfit in Chicago with the other state winners.
Survivors include daughters; Laurie (Ted) Houlihan, Plaistow, NH;
Susan (Darrel) Gavle, Crystal Lake, IL; sister, Muriel Vollum, Charlotte, NC.;Grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jo Harter) Knutsen, Madison, WI, Cristen(Jeff) Sweet, Danville NH, John (Erin) Houlihan, Hampton, NH, David (Kari)Crystal Lake, IL, Katie Gavle, Madison WI. Great grandchildren: Kelsey, Laura, and Sylvia Knutsen, Molly and Phoebe Houlihan, Justin Sweet, Kirsten and Sophia Gavle. Local relatives include C.E. Vollum, Marilyn and Bill Danielsen, Staci and Jay Waltman family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, daughter Barbara, sister Margaret (Les) Anderson, brother Orville (Evelyn)Vollum, Elaine (George)Reed, in-law's Peter and Olena Mortenson, Phalvie Mortenson, Frankie (Danny) Danielsen, Alta (Amos) Christiansen.
Memorials may be sent to First Lutheran Church Peace and Power or a charity of choice. The Family would like to recognize and thank St. John's First North staff and Crossroads Hospice for their exceptionally loving care.
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