Obituary for Barbara Louise Mortensen
Zoom link for Gallup, New Mexico Service https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81855426179
Barbara Louise Mortensen passed away peacefully on January 8, 2021 in Phoenix Arizona of Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19. Her whole family loved her dearly and all are glad she is in heaven.
Barbara was the firstborn of James Carl Thomas and Anna Christensen on July 24, 1933 in Manassa, Colorado. She was one of the many babies delivered in the home of her maternal grandmother and midwife Edith Christensen, who also delivered her younger sister Marili, followed later by a baby brother, Mark. Her early childhood experiences of the Great Depression and World War II, amid the unique San Luis Valley landscape forged by a strong pioneer heritage shaped her life.
Barbara was a quick wit, gifted storyteller, bold, tenacious, hard working, and self-reliant. She was an exceptional musician, masterful seamstress, and had unending energy spent impeccably homemaking and caring for her large family. She had a keen intellect and downplayed the fact she was Valedictorian of her “small” high school class of 13, but even in a class of 130 it would likely have been the same. Barbara attended Brigham Young University for one year and thoroughly enjoyed her time studying music, botany and swimming.
She married Donald Eugene Mortensen on May 7, 1953. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on October 13, 1959. After a brief honeymoon Barbara soon discovered she was pregnant with their first child, who was born while Don was serving in Korea. After Don’s return he was stationed in Great Falls, MT where their second child was born. Upon Don’s military discharge, the young family returned to Colorado and eventually moved to Gallup, NM, where Barbara lived for the last five decades, raising nine children over a period of forty-four years. She was a wonderful mother who provided endless delicious meals in a clean and nurturing home environment. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She raised her children to imitate her example and revere the Lord.
She courageously met many life challenges, forging ahead after Don’s death in 1987, raising Matthew on her own and entering the workforce. She educated herself at UNM Gallup to keep the books for two decades in a family business and taught piano lessons to supplement her income. Her oldest son David died of cancer in July 2006 at age 48. Through it all she earned unusual recognition for her genealogy research and church service in a multitude of callings. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 but her iron will, and stubborn independence remained intact despite the steady progression. She correctly played the hymn “Rock of Ages” on the piano about a month before her death.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents James Carl Thomas, Anna Thomas, husband Donald Eugene Mortensen, and son David Mortensen. She is survived by her siblings Marili Thomas, Mark Thomas (Madelyn), children Dawn Carnel (Michael), Jane Wallace (Lew Lott), Patricia Langmade (Daniel), Mary Anne Douglas (Wayne), Thomas Mortensen (Colleen), Kelly Mortensen (Stefanie), Amy Nyberg (William), and Matthew Mortensen (Mandi Standley), 26 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, CO; please post memories and photos at www.rogersfunerals.com. Funeral services will be a small family gathering and online at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Gallup, NM Stake Center on January 29, 2021 at 10 AM. Burial will follow January 30, 2021 at 1 PM at the Manassa, Colorado Cemetery. A family reunion will be held in Manassa on her birthday, July 24, 2021. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the LDS Humanitarian fund https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund. Request a copy of the memorial program at carriejane.wallace@gmail.com.
Barbara Louise Mortensen passed away peacefully on January 8, 2021 in Phoenix Arizona of Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19. Her whole family loved her dearly and all are glad she is in heaven.
Barbara was the firstborn of James Carl Thomas and Anna Christensen on July 24, 1933 in Manassa, Colorado. She was one of the many babies delivered in the home of her maternal grandmother and midwife Edith Christensen, who also delivered her younger sister Marili, followed later by a baby brother, Mark. Her early childhood experiences of the Great Depression and World War II, amid the unique San Luis Valley landscape forged by a strong pioneer heritage shaped her life.
Barbara was a quick wit, gifted storyteller, bold, tenacious, hard working, and self-reliant. She was an exceptional musician, masterful seamstress, and had unending energy spent impeccably homemaking and caring for her large family. She had a keen intellect and downplayed the fact she was Valedictorian of her “small” high school class of 13, but even in a class of 130 it would likely have been the same. Barbara attended Brigham Young University for one year and thoroughly enjoyed her time studying music, botany and swimming.
She married Donald Eugene Mortensen on May 7, 1953. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on October 13, 1959. After a brief honeymoon Barbara soon discovered she was pregnant with their first child, who was born while Don was serving in Korea. After Don’s return he was stationed in Great Falls, MT where their second child was born. Upon Don’s military discharge, the young family returned to Colorado and eventually moved to Gallup, NM, where Barbara lived for the last five decades, raising nine children over a period of forty-four years. She was a wonderful mother who provided endless delicious meals in a clean and nurturing home environment. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She raised her children to imitate her example and revere the Lord.
She courageously met many life challenges, forging ahead after Don’s death in 1987, raising Matthew on her own and entering the workforce. She educated herself at UNM Gallup to keep the books for two decades in a family business and taught piano lessons to supplement her income. Her oldest son David died of cancer in July 2006 at age 48. Through it all she earned unusual recognition for her genealogy research and church service in a multitude of callings. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 but her iron will, and stubborn independence remained intact despite the steady progression. She correctly played the hymn “Rock of Ages” on the piano about a month before her death.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents James Carl Thomas, Anna Thomas, husband Donald Eugene Mortensen, and son David Mortensen. She is survived by her siblings Marili Thomas, Mark Thomas (Madelyn), children Dawn Carnel (Michael), Jane Wallace (Lew Lott), Patricia Langmade (Daniel), Mary Anne Douglas (Wayne), Thomas Mortensen (Colleen), Kelly Mortensen (Stefanie), Amy Nyberg (William), and Matthew Mortensen (Mandi Standley), 26 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Arrangements by Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, CO; please post memories and photos at www.rogersfunerals.com. Funeral services will be a small family gathering and online at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Gallup, NM Stake Center on January 29, 2021 at 10 AM. Burial will follow January 30, 2021 at 1 PM at the Manassa, Colorado Cemetery. A family reunion will be held in Manassa on her birthday, July 24, 2021. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the LDS Humanitarian fund https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund. Request a copy of the memorial program at carriejane.wallace@gmail.com.