Cover photo for Clyde Mortensen's Obituary
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1926 Clyde 2021

Clyde Mortensen

June 2, 1926 — January 3, 2021

Clyde Martin Mortensen was born June 2,1926 in Dannebrog, Nebraska to Peter and Helena Mortensen. He attended school in Dannebrog and graduated in 1944. He joined the military and served in the Army. Clyde was a staff sergeant with the 519th Military Police and was discharged on November 27, 1946. Clyde bragged to his girls that while he was in boot camp, he paid a fellow soldier to take his swimming lessons. Cost him $1. He met Leatha Nunnenkamp while she was working in a restaurant in Grand Island. Leatha’s best friend Lee told the girls that her boyfriend Russ and Clyde were also best friends. Clyde would pick up Lee and Leatha and they would drive around with Lee riding in the middle until Russ got off work, as Leatha was to bashful to ride in the middle. One night Leatha got in the middle and the rest is history. Clyde and Leatha dated for six months and eloped during a blizzard on March 10, 1950. They were blessed with five children – Gwendolyn, twins – Sharon and Sheryl, and Marty and Michelle who died shortly after birth and were married for 60 years before Leatha’s death in 2010.
As his girls were growing up, he was always there to teach them to drive. He usually made them mad and they would drive him home ending the lesson. He provided cash for afternoon snacks on the way home from school and even later as the girls grew up, helping out when needed always saying this is between you, me and the fence post.
Clyde farmed in Dannebrog, Nebraska following discharge from his military service, and he and Leatha moved in the early 1950s to Council Bluffs where he worked in the trucking industry his entire career retiring in 1986. Following retirement, he enjoyed camping in their motor home and especially enjoyed wintering in Arizona with friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren who he adored. He was known for taking the six older boys to the Kwik Shop for pop and candy and when the two girls came along he doted on them as well. Later in life he enjoyed a good cigar and a cold beer on his deck, watching the world go by.
Clyde was always very healthy and was very proud in later years when the doctor would tell him he was healthier than most 65 year olds that he knew.
Clyde was preceded in death by his wife Leatha in 2010, children Marty and Michelle Mortensen, grandson Peter Fritze and great granddaughter Emma Manz; as well as parents and siblings,
Clyde passed away on January 3, 2021. He leaves to mourn his passing his daughters, Gwen Martins; Sharon (Steve) Manz; Sheryl (Charlie) McConkey all of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Matt Manz, Scott (Julie) Manz of Council Bluffs, and Tim Manz of Maitland, Florida; Kyle (Amber) Fritze, Aaron Fritze of Council Bluffs, and Holly (Tim) Cook of Omaha, Nebraska; Jason Hathaway and Kate (Bruce) Cash of Council Bluffs. Great grandchildren include Jaiden, Ellie and Gavin Adams; Noah, Faith and Eli Fritze; and Logan, Layton, Grace, Hope and Isaac Manz. Also left to mourn his passing are his many friends and family.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 06, 2021. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Interment is in Walnut Hill Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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Funeral Service

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Get Directions

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