Marie E. Mortenson

Marie Elizabeth Kowalski Mortenson finished her journey on February 9, 2015 in Mendota Heights, MN. She was born March 2, 1926 in Moorhead, Minnesota to Frederick “Fritz” and Helen Kaiser Kowalski. Marie was an identical twin, arriving minutes before her beloved sister Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Kowalski Olson.

She spent her life in Moorhead, marrying Robert Bob Mortenson on February 14, 1959. Marie had a 36-year career as a telephone operator with Northwestern Bell and AT&T, where she had an untold number of friends and colleagues. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1958 and volunteered many hours there, at Eventide Senior Living Communities, and the Telephone Pioneers. Always ready to play a game of cards, have cup of coffee or do a little shopping, Marie continued to see and socialize with her many special relatives, friends and neighbors until she moved to the Twin Cities in 2010.

Marie leaves her daughters Karen Jim Sprattler, St. Paul, MN and Diane Mortenson, Minneapolis, MN; stepsons Robert Lynne Mortenson, Jr., Bellingham, WA and Dan Glenda Mortenson, Birmingham, AL; granddaughters Susan Mortenson Chris Kratz, Reno, NV and Claire Sprattler, New York, NY; step-grandsons Tim Pam Young, Columbus, OH and Todd Laura Young, Seattle, WA; brother John Jan Kowalski, Audubon, MN, and special sisters-in-law Vi Mortenson and Ellen Mortenson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, sisters Betty Olson, Patricia Dean, and Sandy Reitan, brothers Jimmy and Frederick Jr. “Jug,” and step-granddaughter Heather Young.

Special thanks to Shelly Devereaux, R.N., C.N.P. for her loving and faithful care, the dedication of the HealthPartners Hospice team and the extraordinary staff at White Pine Senior Living in Mendota Heights, MN for the hugs, kisses and exceptional support shown to their “Grandma.”

Memorials may be directed to https://www.healthpartners.com/public/care/providers/hospice/support-us/ or Regions Hospital Foundation, HealthPartners Hospice & Palliative Care, Mail Stop 11202C, 640 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-2595

Visitation: Friday, February 13, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.
Funeral: Saturday, February 14, at 11:00 a.m., in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead.
Interment: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead.