Dennis Q. Mortensen passed away on February 25, 2022. He was born in Alamosa, CO to Grant Curtis and Louise Crowther Mortensen on 11 March 1940. He was the 5th of 8 sons. Growing up he enjoyed working on the farm, but his older brothers usually got that privilege. He usually ended up helping his Mom in the house. He played football and basketball in high school in addition to earning his Eagle Scout award. He graduated Salutatorian in his class from Sanford High School and attended one year of college at Adams State. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern States Mission. He married Barbara Lou Westbrook on 17 Nov 1962 in the Manti, UT temple. He then attended The University of Utah Pharmacy School and graduated in 1967. They lived in Idaho Falls, ID and Salt Lake City, UT where he was a hospital administrator at LDS Hospital and Primary Children’s Hospital, respectively. He loved to travel, and got his pilot’s license. He enjoyed flying and co-owned a couple of small planes. In 1975, they moved to Sanford, CO where he bought People’s Drug Store in Antonito, CO. He worked there for 35 years. He also worked at Conejos County Hospital and K-mart pharmacies. He was an active member of La Jara Rotary Club for years. Besides pharmacy work, he loved farming and taking care of animals. His favorite was red-angus cattle. Other animals included: Emu, Rex rabbits, sheep, and chickens. He was fond of his “sister” chickens and took such good care of them, continually gathering and washing the eggs.

He held many callings in the church, including: Bishop, High Councilman, and in Scouting. If one word could sum up Dennis, it would be: Charity. He delivered prescriptions on his way home from work each night and gave selflessly to and for others. He was uncanny about the way he could connect with other people. He would just “show-up” when others needed him. He and Barbara continually supported their family during all special events. He loved being social and always wanted to invite others over. He would bring ice cream home from the store at night and drum up a party. He loved to travel - especially to visit family. Barbara and Dennis served 3 missions together: Oregon (2012-2013), Palmyra, NY (2015-2016), and Oklahoma City (2017-2018). They have spent countless hours in temple service weekly and enjoy their time there.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara and 5 children: Julie (Lance Schuster) of Idaho Falls, ID, Jodie (Eric Boley) of Cheyenne, WY, Jeanie (Jeff Felmlee) of Lawrence, KS, Dee (Holley Mortensen) of Shelley, ID, and Derek (Kassie Mortensen) of Fruita, CO, 26 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchidren.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday March 5, 2022 at the Sanford Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 am to 9:45 am at the church. Interment will follow in the Sanford Cemetery. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.