Michael Mortensen

Michael Jay Mortensen Senior peacefully passed away on October 29, 2026 in the loving arms of his wife, Lois, at their farm home in West Jordan, Utah. He was born 7 September 1951 to James Edgar Mortensen (Jay) and Rhea Druce Dalton Mortensen in
Henderson, Clark, Nevada. At his birth he wasn’t holding down food and his duodenum (upper intestines) were not working properly so his parents rushed him to specialists in California where the problem was fixed. He had a permanent scar on his upper belly from this operation. He also suffered with diabetes all his life. Mike had two older brothers, Lawrence Edgar Mortensen (Larry) and Hugh Carrell Mortensen. He was the third son and came 8 years after his second brother Hugh. His brothers took good care of him, taught him, and they were an example to him. His brother Hugh said, “Mike was a great little brother, he wanted to do everything I did! He was a bit mischevious!” Larry, Hugh, and Mike went boating and fishing on Lake Mead, and explored the Desert and animal life, and had trips to California and the beach, to name a few. Five years after his birth, a sister, Christy Lynne Mortensen, was born on 28 September 1956 in Boulder City, Clark, Nevada. She was beautiful and the family was excited to have a girl. She returned to Heaven a short 11 hours after her birth. A special friend and bishop, Dick Worthin, helped them grieve and participated in the service. It was a sad day! Mike, who loved words and dictionaries, would say “That day was very cataclysmic because of the timing.”
Mike grew up with a tight group of young people that were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and they watched out for each other. He played on an organized church baseball team and they even had boxing matches sponsored by the church. It was at these games that Hugh gave him the nickname, “Pickle” and Lois called him this ever since. He is Lois’ pickle!
Mike’s Dad was an extremely talented and a precisioned carpenter, and was building a home for the family on the streets called Bruce and Lindon, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike would go with his Dad and brothers to watch and help him build this beautiful home on a piece of land in the desert. Mike learned a lot from his dad and he truly was his best friend. His mother nurtured, fed, doctored, and kept him in line. She was also a good aim with her shoe. The story goes that once when Mike had done something wrong, and needed to be talked to, he ran away from her and she took her shoe off and threw it at him and stopped him in his tracks! Her counsel and advise were always meaningful and good for Mike. He learned his love for baseball and throwing balls from his dear mother. He learned about Jesus from his parents. His brother, Larry, baptized him and his father confirmed him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All his life Mike served God and was a faithful member of the church.
Learning and going to school was very important. Getting diabetes while going to elementary school was a challenge that he conquered and lived with his entire life. He attended two elementary schools, North Ninth Street School and then Halle Hewetson. He gained a love for education, and for words and for scouting. In Junior High he went to Roy Martin School and enjoyed science. Mike won a first place ribbon in the science fair with an artesian well display. This display went on to win in the district science fair. Attending Las Vegas High School Mike played on the baseball team, football, and basketball. He played trombone and trumpet in the marching band and also sang in ward choirs. Mike was the student body president in his sophomore year and during this time he loved being driven around the field in a convertible driven by his dad and being cheered on by the student body. After graduating from high school Mike went to Dixie College in St George, Utah, which was a two year college and he graduated. He did a lot of family history work on his great grandfather, Aaron Johnson, with a teacher named Mrs. Gregerson. After graduating Mike went to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah where he stayed in a home with two other friends that were from Las Vegas. A girl named Lois Gates, who was attending the U of U and lived in the same Douglas Ward area, brought a plate of cookies over to them. Mike ate them, kissed Lois, and they fell head over heels for each other.
Lois told Mike that she would only marry a man who had served a mission. Mike made all preparations, got his patriarchal blessing, was ordained an Elder by his dad, Jay, and served an excellent, honorable and faithful mission to California. One of his companions, Terry Powell, came home and was lined up with Lois’ friend Betty and they became eternal companions.
Mike and Lois were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, August 6, 1976. Afterwards they had a reception in the West Jordan Pioneer Hall where they square danced, had a hay ride pulled by Grandpa Glen Beckstead, and visited with family, friends, and the students that Lois taught. They honeymooned down the coast of California and ended up in Las Vegas where Mike’s mom and dad hosted another reception for them.
Mike had a motorcycle and loved giving Lois rides. Their first home was an old Victorian home on 6th South and 6th East, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mike worked for Camp Kostopolos and took the children to activities on a bus. While doing this he finished up his education at the U of U and received a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, and he got a job at a nursing home.
Lois and Mike moved out to West Jordan to live with and help Grandpa Glen Beckstead. They purchased Glen’s little farm home and Mike had heaven on earth for the rest of his days. Mike’s children meant everything to him. He had 6 children; Michael Jay Junior, Ryan Maize, and Christian Carrell, and then his daughter Sarah Rhea. Two children didn’t make it to full term and Sarah died at age 33. This was very hard for Mike and broke his heart. Mike loved camping and traveling and exploring all of Utah. If there was a dirt road he would be driving down it with the old broken down vehicles that he owned and his family inside. He would stop and pick up anything that was left on the road. Mike became a Professional Scouter and spent many summers doing scouting with young boys. He lived the Boy Scout Law and moto. A few places that he worked at were Camp Steiner, Bear Lake, and Canoe Base on the Snake River at the base of the Tetons. He took his sons with him for the summers. Mike was an example to many young boys. He taught survival skills and how to become a man. All of his sons became Eagle Scouts. All of his boys made pine wood derbies under his tutelage. He had a raft and would river run the largest white water in these parts!
Lois and Mike, along with their children, loved singing and performing together. They would practice songs and sing, dance, and play instruments for assisted living homes, Senior Citizen Centers, and church functions. Mike had a beautiful voice and played the trumpet and trombone with glee.
One day his nephew, Ron, who was a police officer in Las Vegas, was put into prison. Mike stopped working and dedicated his life to help free him from this injustice. He wrote articles and did research and traveled back and forth to Nevada. He loved words and had many giant dictionaries that he would mark up and use these words in his writings. Mike got to see Ron released, after 30 years, which was so exciting for him.
His favorite calling at church was being the music director. He sang in every choir and taught many boys in scouting and children in Primary. He served everyone in need. He loved reading his scriptures, being a Home Teacher, and going to the temple, and doing family history.
Selling Insurance was the last thing that Mike did for a living besides helping around the farm. Mike enjoyed gardening and farm animals. He was diagnosed with dementia and slowly went downhill to where he couldn’t do anything for himself. Lois had him pray often and he would talk to God. He loved and adored all 17 of his grandchildren! Music is the last thing to go, so Mike would sing to people who visited. He liked singing with Lois. They would sing, “Oh We Ain’t Got A Barrel Of Money!”; “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”; “Memories”; and ”Let The Rest Of The World Go By!”, to name a few. He also clapped his hands together in fabulous exotic rhythms. Mike had many cousins that he adored and talked to and he put together many fabulous family reunions. He was a man full of gratitude and always said, “Thank You”! to the last breath he took.
We want to thank hospice for their loving support and care over the last few months. We love Collin, Thomas, Pearson, and Sheila. Mike’s doctors, over the years, have helped him live a long life.
We are all the better for knowing and rubbing shoulders with Pickle. He is the last member of his family to leave this earthly existence. May he continue to look in on us from his courts on high. He will be missed.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Rhea; his older brothers, Larry and Hugh; his younger sister, Christy Lynne; his daughter, Sarah Rhea Mortensen and his in-laws, Earl and Lucile Gates.
He is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Lois; his children Mikie Jay Jr. (Jessica Mathers), Ryan Maize Sr. (Trisha Tomkinson), Christian Carrell (Lisa Phillips), Aaron King; his grandchildren Kylie (Ryan Miller), Autumn, Lily (Cameron Jones), Michael Jeffrey, Ryan Jr. (Mackenzie Barton), Rider, Dalton, Nicole, Enoch, Joel, Hannah, Lydia, Philip, Sienna King.

Click this link to view additional details about Michael's Services,
including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/michael-mortensen-2026