Von Mortensen

Harlo Von Mortensen, 81, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2022, after 15 years of battling cancer.

Von was born on February 4, 1941, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Christian Charles Mortensen and Pearl Evelyn Chandler Mortensen. He wasn’t expected to live because he was a premature baby. He was nursed and fed through the night and lived. Von is the 9th out of 9 children. He lived in Chinook, Montana, and grew up in Lincoln near Idaho Falls, Idaho. He helped farm and he raised chickens. He enjoyed farming, scouting, building houses, camping, and visits to Yellowstone National Park.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served an honorable mission in Denmark from 1960-1963. When Von was just a month in Denmark, he got word that his father had passed away. He was told not to come home if he died. He honored his father's wish by staying in Denmark. He came home and attended Ricks College. He was set up on a blind date by Jay and Joy Mortensen with Darene Gibbs, who was teaching their daughter, Katrina, at Wappelo Elementary School. They dated, and later got married on April 14, 1965. They settled in Pocatello, Idaho, and in Logan, Utah. He earned a Bachelor's in Math and Science from Utah State University and a Master's Degree at the University of Idaho. He moved back to Firth and Shelley where he taught at Shelley Junior High and High School. He was a devoted teacher.

After retirement, he moved to Idaho Falls, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his wife served as service missionaries at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. They opened their home for their children and grandchildren to visit and many other friends and relatives. Von and Darene opened their home to their grandson, Colton Butler, who served a service mission at the Bishops' Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City.

Von has served as a Young Mens' leader, Scoutmaster, Elders' Quorum instructor, High Priest Quorum Leader and instructor, and Sunday School teacher, he ministered to many.

Von is survived by his wife, Darene Mortensen; daughter, Kristen (Lynn) Butler of Shelley, Idaho; and son, Newell Mortensen of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 6 grandchildren, Danielle, Colton, Quentin (Merinda), Kenyon (J’ana), Shayna, and Cheryl Butler; and 4 great grandchildren, Elena, Rosalee, Tucker, and Daniel Butler; brother, Gene (Sandra) Mortensen of Logan, Utah; sisters-in-law, Dorris Mortensen, Joy Mortensen, Beverly Mortensen, Kirstene (Rod) Clark, and VonNiece (Glenn) Hansen.

Von is preceded in death by his parents, Christian Charles Mortensen and Pearl Evelyn Chandler Mortensen; sisters, DeNiece (Clarence) Mills, Barbra (Kenneth) Palmer, and Eva (Blaine) Peterson; brothers, Christian “Chris,” Jay, Perry, and Newell Mortensen.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Ivy Wood Ward, 1291 W. 65th S. in Idaho Falls. A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Basalt Cemetery.