Robert A. Mortensen
November 20, 1921 — March 7, 2008
Robert A. Mortensen, son of Carl and Nora Jane (Moore) Mortensen, was born on September 20, 1921, in Shelby, Iowa. Robert was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church of Shelby and graduated from the Shelby Consolidated School.
Bob was a pilot and advanced instrument instructor in the Naval Air Corps during World War II, stationed in Pensacola, Florida. During this time he learned to golf and quickly developed a passion for the sport. Over the years, he had six holes in one. Both his time as a Naval pilot and his holes in one were two accomplishments he cherished in life.
On July 5, 1944, Bob married Lois June Buck while stationed in Pensacola. To this union, two children were born: Patricia and Robert.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to Shelby County, Iowa, where he was a parts manager at the Harlan Garage, car salesman for E. M. Christensen Auto and sold auto parts for Paxton-Galligar while preparing for the opportunity to begin farming. After farming for 12 years near Shelby, Bob purchased and operated Irwin Farm Supply. In 1984, Bob and Lois retired and moved to a condominium on the Harlan Golf and Country Club course where he could further pursue his passion for golf. He and Lois became members of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan. Bob was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and served on the Shelby Community School Board and Myrtue Memorial Hospital Board as well as several other boards and organizations.
In late January of 2008, Bob became ill and died on March 7, 2008, having attained the age of eighty six years, five months and fifteen days. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Ted Balster, George Mortensen and Ronnie Mortensen.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Lois Mortensen; his children: Patricia and her husband Douglas Hildebrand of Marshalltown and Robert C. Mortensen and his wife Lana of Ames; his grandchildren: Lara Hildebrand of Chicago, Amber Harre of Minneapolis, Chad Mortensen of Tempe, Anne Hildebrand of Des Moines, Carly Schaefer of Kansas City and Valeriya Andronova of Ames; his great grandchildren: Blake and Jackson Harre; his brother Hugh Mortensen and his wife Wilma of Harlan; his sister, Rose and her husband Keith Kay of Council Bluffs; his sisters-in-law: Kay Balster of Clarinda; Pat Mortensen of Shelby and Avis Mortensen of Atlantic; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Pastor Donna Ewert officiated the 11:00 AM service. Lunch was held at Harlan Golf and Country Club followed by a private burial at Shelby Cemetery in Shelby, Iowa.
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Bob was a pilot and advanced instrument instructor in the Naval Air Corps during World War II, stationed in Pensacola, Florida. During this time he learned to golf and quickly developed a passion for the sport. Over the years, he had six holes in one. Both his time as a Naval pilot and his holes in one were two accomplishments he cherished in life.
On July 5, 1944, Bob married Lois June Buck while stationed in Pensacola. To this union, two children were born: Patricia and Robert.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to Shelby County, Iowa, where he was a parts manager at the Harlan Garage, car salesman for E. M. Christensen Auto and sold auto parts for Paxton-Galligar while preparing for the opportunity to begin farming. After farming for 12 years near Shelby, Bob purchased and operated Irwin Farm Supply. In 1984, Bob and Lois retired and moved to a condominium on the Harlan Golf and Country Club course where he could further pursue his passion for golf. He and Lois became members of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan. Bob was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and served on the Shelby Community School Board and Myrtue Memorial Hospital Board as well as several other boards and organizations.
In late January of 2008, Bob became ill and died on March 7, 2008, having attained the age of eighty six years, five months and fifteen days. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Ted Balster, George Mortensen and Ronnie Mortensen.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Lois Mortensen; his children: Patricia and her husband Douglas Hildebrand of Marshalltown and Robert C. Mortensen and his wife Lana of Ames; his grandchildren: Lara Hildebrand of Chicago, Amber Harre of Minneapolis, Chad Mortensen of Tempe, Anne Hildebrand of Des Moines, Carly Schaefer of Kansas City and Valeriya Andronova of Ames; his great grandchildren: Blake and Jackson Harre; his brother Hugh Mortensen and his wife Wilma of Harlan; his sister, Rose and her husband Keith Kay of Council Bluffs; his sisters-in-law: Kay Balster of Clarinda; Pat Mortensen of Shelby and Avis Mortensen of Atlantic; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa. Pastor Donna Ewert officiated the 11:00 AM service. Lunch was held at Harlan Golf and Country Club followed by a private burial at Shelby Cemetery in Shelby, Iowa.
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