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Lester Mortensen

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Lester Mortensen, 98 year old resident of Long Prairie, MN formerly of Swanville, MN, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the CentraCare Long Prairie Hospital. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville. Military Rites will be provided by Swanville American Legion Post #313 and V.F.W. Post #6037. Caring for Lester and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville.
Lester Ralph Mortensen was born on June 7, 1925 in Burnhamville Township, Todd County to the late Arthur and Alvina (Beseman) Mortensen. He was baptized on July 12, 1925, confirmed on May 21, 1939 and was united in marriage to Grace Meyer on May 4, 1947 all at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville. Lester attended the Swanville High School through the 11th grade and he was then needed to work on the family farm. He entered into the U.S. Marine Corps and served from February 1945 to October 1946, overseas in Japan during WWII. Lester worked at Little Falls Machine Shop for 27 years and also farmed near Pillsbury, MN, before farming near Lake Beauty for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Swanville American Legion Post #313, VFW Post #6037, Swanville Sportsman’s Club and was on the Senior Citizens Board in Swanville for 10-12 years.
Lester is survived by his son, Mark (Gayle) Mortensen of Brainerd, MN; daughters, Marcia (Jim) Gilman of Willmar, MN and Sandra ( Bill) Lemcke of Laporte, MN; brother, Art Mortensen of Long Prairie; sister-in-law, Betty Meyer of Long Prairie; grandchildren, Shannon (Jeremy) Sharp, Angela (Jean) La Valley, Sara (Jason) Roos, David Gilman, Stacey (Chad) White, Kevin Mortensen, Brooke (Dustin) Helquist, and Erica (Mike) Ramthun; 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Mortensen; parents Arthur and Alvina Mortensen; brothers, Charlie, Howard (Margaret) and Elmer Mortensen; sisters, Lucille (Wendell) Olson, Helen (Kermit) Swenson and Hazel Wilson.
Memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.