Richard H. Mortensen

Obituary

Richard Hans Mortensen of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, and formerly of Cosmos, Minnesota. Passed away peacefully in the presence of family on April 21, 2025, at the Bethesda nursing center in Willmar Minnesota.

Richard was born March 27, 1928, in Darwin, Minnesota to parents Walter and Evelyn (Brown) Mortensen. Richard grew up as the fourth of eleven children on the family farm in Cosmos, Minnesota. Richard worked for neighboring farms and served in the army post-World War II in Yokohama, Japan. Richard gained the position as a Staff Sergeant, and received an honorable discharge at the completion of his military service.

On returning from his military service. Richard worked as a private contractor, delivering milk for local farms to the Cosmos Creamery. On November 3, 1949, Richard married Dorothea (Flemming) Mortensen at Peace Lutheran Church of Cosmos, Minnesota. They then shared just over 71 years of marriage. The union was blessed with four children: Ronald, Diane, Roger, and Robert.

In 1956, Richard and Dorothea reconstructed an abandoned district 37 schoolhouse for their home and family. Richard and Dorothea had both attended this school there at one time in their lives. Richard then worked for the municipalities of Cosmos, for his brother Lloyd Mortenson in road construction, Raske Builders of Cosmos, and Terwisscha Construction in Willmar, Minnesota, as well as other various jobs thereafter. With his many skills he could do most of many handyman jobs.

Richard enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, woodworking, making crafts, playing cards, and dancing of course. Richard worked alongside his wife, Dorothea in quilting, canning and baking. Richard was a member of the Cosmos American Legion Post 126 legion club, a camping club, and a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos.

Richard moved to Buffalo Lake, Minnesota to be near Dorothea when she needed nursing home care. A celebration was held in his honor for his 97th birthday which was attended by most of his devoted family and friends. Health issues then brought Richard to Bethesda Health Care Center in Willmar, Minnesota before his passing away on April 21, 2025.

Richard is survived by his children:
Ronald Mortensen and his wife Shirley of Hector, Minnesota
Diane Homan and husband Roger Peck of Hutchinson, Minnesota
Roger Mortensen and wife Lynda of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Robert Mortensen and partner Sharon Filand of Cedar Mills, Minnesota
16 Grandchildren;
18 Great-Grandchildren;
3 Great-Great-Grandchildren;
and many other relatives and friends.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Evelyn Mortensen; wife Dorothea Mortensen, sisters Alice (Mortensen) Olson, Edith (Mortensen) Minnick, Mary (Mortensen) Raitz, and brothers Stanley Mortenson, Lloyd Mortenson, Carroll Mortensen, Darryl Mortensen, Clifford Mortensen, James Mortensen, and Lowell Mortensen.

Family members would like to express thanks to all those who gave care, support, and devotion to Richard over the many years of his life.