Gloria C. Mortenson
GLORIA C. MORTENSON
SEPTEMBER 10, 1935 – DECEMBER 16, 2017
FUNERAL NOTICE AND OBITUARY
Gloria C. Mortenson, 82, Benson, Minn., died Saturday, December 16, 2017, at Rice Care Center. Visitation will be from 4–7 p.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 21, 2017, at the church. Interment will be in Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Benson. Memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home.
Gloria C. Mortenson was born on September 10, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Charles F. and Alma O. (Berge) Long. She was an only child and at an early age moved to Benson where she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Knute and Tillie P. (Berge) Rodberg. Gloria was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. She graduated from Benson High School in 1953. After graduating Gloria worked for Lee’s Five and Dime and continued her high school romance with her future husband, Kendall O. Mortenson. On February 7, 1956 they were united in marriage in Seattle, Washington where Kendall had moved to work. This union was blessed with four children. After their marriage, they moved back to Kendall’s family farm and spent the next 50 years farming and raising their family. Gloria continued to live on the farm after Kendall’s death in 2006. In December 2014, after enduring several and varied health issues, Gloria became a resident of Rice Care Center in Willmar, Minnesota. She was called from this life on Saturday, December 16, 2017.
Gloria was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. For her, family came first and she was happiest when surrounded by those she loved. Gloria worked hard raising her family, maintaining a spotless home, and tending her gardens, especially her flowers. She was an “Avon Lady” for several years, served as a 4-H leader and Sunday school teacher. After the children were grown, Gloria obtained her Certified Nursing Assistance certificate from Ridgewater College. She spent the next 25 years caring for others through her employment with Meadow Lane Nursing Home, Swift-County Benson Hospital and Countryside Public Health. Gloria led an active life serving as President of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA) at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, as a member of the Sons of Norway, Coterie, and the Red Hat Society. She also continued to enjoy gardening and a good read.
Gloria is survived by three sons: Steven (Laurie) Mortenson of Benson, Jonathan (Gayla) Mortenson of Boyden, IA, Dale (Pam) Mortenson of Forest Lake; daughter: Susan (David) Anfinson of Willmar; grandchildren: Stephanie (Chad) Jewell and their children Georgia, Harriet and August, Matthew (Natasha) Mortenson and their children Grace and Cowan, Eric (Lyndsey Brekunitch) Mortenson, Molly Mortenson (and fiancé Scott Olson) and her children Elijah and Hannah, Peter (Allie) Mortenson, and Daniel and Rebecca Anfinson; and also by her sister-in-law, Arlys (Mortenson) Isaacson of Seattle, WA.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Kendall, her parents, her aunt and uncle, and brother-in-law Robert Isaacson, sister and brother-in-law Harry and Darlene (Mortenson) Anderson, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Please sign the guest book at: www.zniewskifuneralhome.com
