MOHALL – Frances Irene Mortensen, 99, Mohall, died Monday, March 30, 2020, at a Mohall nursing home.
She was born May 26, 1920, in Mohall, a daughter of Martin and Elbinnie (Anderson) Jacobson.  She was baptized August 15, 1920 at Hamerly Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall.  She worked at the A.S.C.S. office in Mohall for several years.
Frances married John Mortensen on December 25, 1942, in Biloxi, MS.  They lived in Champaign, IL (Chanute Field AFB), Monahans, TX (Pyote AFB), and Biloxi, MS (Kessler Field AFB).
When John returned to North Dakota after spending two years in England while in the service, they started farming in 1946 in Hamlet Township, Renville County.  They farmed until 1976 when they moved into Mohall.
Frances was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall, and the WELCA and worked in the church quilting project.  She was a member of the Mohall Women's Club, a former member of the Brandon Busy Bees and Hamlet Homemakers.
Mom was truly a wonderful mother and for everyone who knew her, her talents were well known.  She was a great, baker from buns, bread, butterhorns to homemade lefse.  We never went without.   One of her other many talents was her sewing ability.  We always had homemade little dresses to match but different colors.  Later in life she became a quilter and made many a quilt for each of us, all her grandchildren and for Metigoshe Ministry's quilt auction.  She loved her flowers and her garden and had a natural green thumb.  Mom and dad hardly missed a basketball, baseball, and football game, to watch grandchildren play and always kept score.  Her wheat weaving and ribbon roses will be cherished by all of us.  She will be greatly missed.
Family: daughters, Peggy Peterson, Seymour, IN, Judy (Gordy) Valgren, Minot, Nancy (Mike) Oberholtzer, Lansford, Lana (David) Spight, Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren, Brian (Ericka) Peterson, Dr. Dawn (Heather Golly) Mattern, Tracy (Frank) DiCenso, Gwen (Shane) Aberle, Heidi (Andy) Stanfield, Brady (Rebecca) Oberholtzer, Scott Prouty, Todd Oberholtzer, Calli (Greg) Jund and Cory (Kerri) Mattern; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Frances was preceded in death by: her husband, John Mortensen; infant son, James Mortensen; parents; sisters, Ellen and Helen Jacobson, Minnie Landsverk, Ann Wilson, Alice Smeby, Mabel Lee and Ella Horner; brothers, Bernard and Marvin Jacobson.
Funeral: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic guidelines, a private family funeral will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
Burial: Mohall Community Cemetery, Mohall.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.brosefuneralhome.com.