James Mortensen

James Mortensen died on November 30, 2007. He was born in Lyle, Minnesota on July 23, 1929 and he had lived in El Paso since 1966. He taught in the English Department at The University of Texas in El Paso from 1966 until 1994, when he retired as an associate professor emeritus. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico and was a member of many professional organizations. Jim was much loved and admired for the courage, grace, charm, and enjoyment of life that he exhibited and as a true gentleman and a constant friend. His special interests were music and art, and he served as a docent at the El Paso Museum of Art, where he especially enjoyed giving tours for fourth grade students. Survivors include his wife Elaine, sister Shirley Nelson of Ronan, MT, sister Lois Hollerud of Plymouth, MN, aunt Katherine Howard of Lyle, MN, sister-in-law Arlene Hill and husband Rod of Allegan, MI, special friends Virginia and Ed Fultz of Albuquerque, NM and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Jay and Selma Mortensen of Lyle, MN and sister Marie Mortensen of Bisbee, AZ. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Norwegian Society Scholarship Fund, the Dr. James K. P. Mortensen Scholarship in English and American Literature at UTEP, or to the charity of your choice. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 1:00 PM at the Hillcrest Funeral Chapel, 5054 Doniphan at McClintock. Directed by HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME. 5054 Doniphan Dr. 587-0202