Wayne (Alfred Wayne) Mortenson passed into the loving arms of Jesus, at home with family by his side on August 30, 2023. Wayne was born December 20, 1949, at Mercy Hospital in Valley City ND, the son of Alfred W. Mortenson and Mary E. Cresap Mortenson. He grew up in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School in 1967. He married his high school sweetheart, Laurel A. Lane, April 19, 1969, and moved to Illinois, where they raised their three children; Michelle (Mike) Cahill, Mindy Causa, and Michael (Greta) Mortenson. Wayne was the proud grandpa of 10 grandchildren; John Michael (fiancée Kiara Selmer), Jessica, Connor, and Caden Cahill; James, Ethan, Luke and Adam Causa, and Alex and Hannah Mortenson. Wayne worked many years in the grocery business, sales, and then Terminix before retiring due to a disability.
Wayne enjoyed spending time with his wife of 54 years. He was a devoted father and grandfather, coaching his son’s little league baseball and attending any activity his children and grandchildren participated in. He was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan, and like many others, had his dream come true when they won the World Series in 2016. One of Wayne’s favorite pastimes was reminiscing and connecting with his VCHS Class of 1967 classmates.
Wayne is survived by his wife Laurie, his children, their spouses, and his 10 grandchildren; his sisters Lois Hamann (John Erickson) and Sheryl Derme’, brother-in-law Lowell Pals, and Laurie’s family; James and Mary Kieley, Sharon Rieb, Dale Lane, Marilyn Vinson, Linda Lane and Dennis Hoye, and Mickey and Peggy Kvien, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joy Pals, and brothers-in-law Jerry Pederson and Alan Tomt, Marvin Rieb, Robert Vinson, and sister-in-law Polly Lane.
The funeral service will be Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 AM at Saint Andrew’s Church in West Chicago IL followed by a Celebration of Life at Glendale Heights Center for Seniors any time between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. You are invited to wear Cubs attire to the service and celebration if you choose.