Gerald Mortensen, 66, died Thursday, May 1, 2003 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, May 5, 2003 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Strandquist, MN with Reverend David Pretty officiating. Burial will be in Mission Cemetery, Strandquist, MN.

Visitation will be 4 " 8 PM, Sunday, May 4, 2003 at the Johnson Green Funeral Home, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Gerald Dean Mortensen was born March 12, 1937 in Argyle, MN, the son of Carl P. and Elizabeth J. (Betts) Mortensen. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended various schools in the area. Gerald entered the United States Army, January 12, 1955 and was Honorably Discharged, December 17, 1957. On February 24, 1962 Gerald was united in marriage to Carol H. Matter. The couple lived in Delano, MN until January of 1983, when they moved to Strandquist, MN.

Gerald worked for Marshall County in maintenance. He was a precision machinist, and electrician and he also worked for Tonka Toys. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, trapshooting, making picture frames and he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0466, Strandquist and a life member of the North America Hunting Club.

Survived by wife, Carol, Strandquist, MN, three children: Debs (Zachary) Zachman, Delano, MN, Randy (Leta), Montrose, MN and Allen (Sandy) Mortensen, Montrose, MN; grandchildren: Adam and Jeff Zachman, Brent Stolka and Justin Giese; mother-in-law, Helen Matter, Delano, MN; brothers and sisters: Myrtle Holmstrom, South St. Paul, MN, Andy (Shirley) Mortensen, Oglivie, MN, Dale (Carol) Mortensen, Heron, SD, Arthur Mortensen, Thief River Falls, MN, Orville (Jane) Mortensen, Montrose, MN and Karen (Kenneth) Peterson, Ellsworth, WI; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by sister, Blanche Waterworth; brothers: Allen, Melvin, and John Mortensen; parents; and brothers-in-law, Leonard Holmstrom and Aaron Waterworth.