Peter "Pete" Mortensen

1953 - 2011

Mortensen, Peter "Pete"

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, Peter (Pete) C. Mortensen was carried on the wings of angels to his Father in Heaven. He has received ultimate healing from cancer and has been reunited with his parents.

Pete was born Sept. 2, 1953, in Wisconsin Rapids to Shirley and Richard Mortensen. He attended and graduated from Lincoln High School before entering the U.S. Army. He served for six years, both stateside and in Germany. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

He and his soulmate, Pam (Tesser) were married on April 8, 1994, and after that time were inseparable. As a special surprise to Pam, Pete made arrangements to renew their wedding vows and have their marriage blessed on their fifth anniversary. Their marriage was built on their true love, as well as their faith in God. They shared a wicked sense of humor. Pete and Pam seemed to share their thoughts and often finished each other's sentences. Pete accepted Scott and Karli Kirchhoefer as his own children. He was their devoted "Papa".

He worked for Nekoosa Papers/Georgia-Pacific/Domtar for 30 years until the closing of the mill in Port Edwards. At that time he was a machine tender on No. 8 paper machine. He then began working as a machine operator at Ocean Spray until his disability from cancer began in April 2010.

Pete lived life larger and louder than anyone else. He never did anything he didn't want to do and he enjoyed every single second of it. Other than his hard Norwegian head, he was all heart. He never met a baby he didn't adore and he could calm the crabbiest child faster than anyone else. He was dearly loved and his absence will leave a huge hole in our hearts and lives.

Pete loved nature and was a turkey and deer hunter, always hunting with his "special buddies", Donn Knuth, Chris Peters and his brother, Paul Mortensen. He was the chef of the "wild country" meats each Thanksgiving, cooking the venison and wild turkey. He also was a musky fisherman, always hoping for the proverbial "big one". Pete was an archer and enjoyed video archery. He loved to be in the woods, even enjoying cutting firewood.

Pete was a lover of sports. He and Pam attended as many Packer games as they were able and watched as many televised events as possible. He also supported the Brewers, the Badgers and Nascar races. Pete looked forward to traveling with Pam to the races at Bristol, Tenn., each year.

Pete is survived by his wife, Pam; children, Scott (Bobbi) and Karli (Mike Rogney) Kirchhoefer; and granddaughter, Brianne Black. He is further survived by his furry children, Toby, Bella, Mocha and Emme. We're sure his beloved Mysterious (Mrs. Kitty) was waiting for him at Heaven's gate.

He is survived by his siblings, Paul (Kim) Mortensen, Scott (Nancy) Mortensen, Sharon (Gerry) Schroeder, Vicki Matts, Trish (Curt) Andreason, Mary (Phil) Mlsna and Kaaren (Leo) Kelnhofer. He is also survived by his in-laws, Linda and Roger Leitner and Larry and Linda Jean Tesser. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Pete was predeceased by his parents, Shirley and Richard Mortensen; and brothers-in-law, Don Matts and Bill Parker; as well as his mother- and father-in-law, Mildred and Walter Tesser.

Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. A funeral service will follow with the Rev. John Grohs officiating. Military rites will also follow.

Our family offers our sincere thanks to Dr. Greg Hartig and his staff at UW Paul Carbone Cancer Center and University Hospital, Madison, and to Dr. Ronald Kirschling and his staff at the UW Cancer Center, Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids. Pete's life would have been much more difficult without their treatment and care. We also thank Ministry Home Hospice which allowed Pete's passing at home with his family.

Pete, my Dearest Love,

I will miss you until we are again united.

Yours Always and Forever,

Pam