Gary Palmer Mortenson

Gary Palmer Mortenson, age 84 of Dassel, died, Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at his residence. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with Rev. Janine Olson officiating. The interment of the urn will be held at the Dassel Community Cemetery after the service. There will be a time to gather one hour prior to the service at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the memorial arrangements. Gary Palmer Mortenson, the son of George and Olga (Anderson) Mortenson, was born on December 16, 1937, in Litchfield, Minnesota. He grew up in the Dassel area where he was baptized and confirmed at the Church of Christ in Dassel and was presently a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel. Gary was a 1955 graduate of the Dassel High School. On May 8, 1959, Gary was united in marriage to Marlys LaVonne Irvin at Stockholm Lutheran Church. Together they made their home in Dassel before they purchased the Boo farm southeast of Dassel where they resided until 1987 when they sold the farm and moved to a house on the shore of Lake Washington. In 1998, Gary and LaVonne moved back to Dassel and in 2004 they built a new home in Dassel where they have since resided. Gary farmed for many years along with driving truck for Midwest and Minnesota Hatcheries. Gary loved to spend time with family and friends. He enjoyed helping his family and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching football, basketball, and baseball. He loved spending time helping his godson, Layne Anderson with farm work. He could often be found playing cards and nibbling on popcorn with the neighbors. He stayed connected with family, friends, and classmates. Gary had a heart of gold; he always had a place at the table for those who needed help. Gary and LaVonne were foster parents for twenty-three children and had nine foreign exchange students. He is survived by his wife, LaVonne Mortenson of Dassel, son, Kurt (Mary) Mortenson of Dassel, two grandchildren, Kristina (Kellen) Ryan and Daniel Mortenson, two great grandchildren, Adalynn and Piper Ryan, godchildren, Layne Anderson, Jeff McCalla, Mary Voreck, and Randy Humola, siblings, Richard Piehl of Illinois, Roger (June) Coultier of Elk River and Ruth (Dan) Franzon of Mallard, Iowa, cousins, Frank Piehl of Litchfield, Sandra Anderson of Litchfield, and Melanie Gibson of Litchfield. He was preceded in death by his son, Keith Mortenson, grandson, Jon Kurtis Mortenson, his parents, and a sister, Georgia Ann Mortenson.

Gary Palmer Mortenson

December 16, 1937 - October 25, 2022