Sonny died peacefully at home in the arms of his loving wife of 59 years after a short illness. He was born on July 5, 1938 to Venice Petersen and Lenard Mortensen in Bountiful, Utah. He had married the love of his life Verla Rebecca Beckstead on December 13, 1958 in West Jordan, Utah. They were later sealed in the LDS Temple.
Sonny was one of the founders of Intermountain Ornamental Iron. He had a long career in the building industry where he made many good friends. He was respected as a fair and honest man who always put in a hard day's work. He had a great love for animals. He trained Vizslas and competed in field trials. He won many championships that he was very proud of. He was one of the founders of the Utah Vizsla Association and the National Vizsla Association. He and his wife traveled all over the country attending field trials, where they made many good friends who shared their love of the sport. He loved to travel and retirement gave him time to see more of the world. He loved visiting many of the European countries, China and Africa, but he was most proud of his trip to Denmark and the small village where his family came from. He was a member of the LDS Church. He proudly served his country as a member of the Army in the Armed Forces. He was a generous man and quietly helped those less fortunate without looking for or wanting any acknowledgement. He had a quick wit and great sense of humor that will be missed every day by his family and close friends. Up to the very end he was still making us laugh.
Survived by his wife Verla; daughters Becky (Steven) Anderson, Rose Thornton Olson, Chris (Wayne) Price; son Len (Margie) Mortensen; grandchildren Amy Harding, Michael Thornton, Brad Anderson, Jamie Thompson, Nick Price, Kyle Price, Alex Mortensen, Sunny Morris; six great-grandchildren; sister Jean (Dan) Storper; brothers Delile Soren Mortensen, Kent (Evelyn) Mortensen, Dan (Roberta) Mortensen and Scott (Mary) Mortensen. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers Francis and Verdis; and grandson Tyler Thornton.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 24th at 11:00 AM, friends may call upon the family at the viewings on Wednesday, May 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and again on Thursday, May 24th from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, all at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy. Interment to follow services at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
