Mortensen – William “Bill” Mortensen, born on March 26, 1935, in Calgary, Alberta, peacefully passed away in Lethbridge on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife Fay, and family members Kevin, Donna, and Kelly, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to William and Marie Mortensen, Bill was raised on the farm in Tilley with his siblings Don, Grace, and Frank. A highlight of Bill’s life was in 1949, when he and his family took a 6-month trip to Denmark. Bill got his education at Renfrew and Tilley schools, where he learned to speak English after only ever speaking Danish at home. After finishing high school, Bill began his farming career, spending the winter months working in sawmills, on the oil rigs, and driving a packer on the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway. In the late 1950s, a blind date set up by Myrna and Jorgen Jacobsen introduced him to Deanna Pollock, whom he married on December 31, 1960. Together, they built a life filled with love, raising three rambunctious boys: Brian, Kevin, and Jerry. In 1972, with the help of friends, Bill and his family built a new house on the farm and finally got to enjoy the luxury of indoor plumbing. Bill was a hard worker his entire life. He took immense pride in irrigation farming and raising cattle. Chores were never-ending, but Bill enjoyed every minute of them. Summer days were spent wearing rubber boots with a shovel over his shoulder. Evenings and Sundays after church were often spent visiting with friends and family, over coffee and meals. Bill loved his family and was always one of the first to meet each new grandchild – even if it meant a speeding ticket on the way! Bill was also very proud to be a great-grandfather. After 50 wonderful years, Bill lost his beloved Deanna. However, fate smiled upon him once more, and he found love again with Fay Henrickson after sitting together on a DeJong bus trip to the Great Canadian Barn Dance. Bill and Fay were married on June 9, 2012. In 2015, Bill sold the farm and he and Fay moved to Brooks. After retiring from farm life, Bill and Fay enjoyed many new adventures, including a memorable bus trip across Canada (Bill’s favorite) and several wonderful cruises including through the Panama Canal and to Australia, and many other trips, international and close by, both big and small. Bill was a pillar of his community, serving as president of the EID Board and being actively involved in various local organizations including Tirol Dehydrators, Tirol Gas Co., Tilley Grazing, Tilley Mutual Telephone Co., Alberta Irrigation Assoc., and Irrigation Project Association. Bill dedicated countless hours to volunteering as a Cub and Scout’s leader, at the Newbrook Lodge and Prairie Pioneer Seniors Centre, and was a proud life-long member of the Bethany Lutheran Church. Bill will be remembered for his generosity, warmth, and great sense of humor. Bill was predeceased by his first wife, Deanna; brothers, Don and Frank; parents, William and Marie; brother-in-law Neil Wallace and step-granddaughter Illisa. Bill is survived by his wife, Fay; sister Grace Wallace; sons, Brian (Candice), Kevin (Donna), Jerry (Corry); step-son Albert (Carolyn); step-daughter Kelly (Timothy); 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Bill’s spirit will forever warm the hearts of all who knew him, encouraging us to cherish every moment and embrace life with laughter and a smile. Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, July 30th at 11:00 AM from Trinity Lutheran Church (811 Cassils Road W, Brooks, Alberta), followed by a luncheon. Rev. John Theiss officiating. Internment will follow at Bethany Lutheran Church, Tilley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name directly to St. Michael’s Health Centre (Palliative Care), 1400 9 Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5 or the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, 960 19 St South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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