Obituary of Leonard Walter Mortinsen

Leonard "Willie" Mortinsen, age 96, passed away Monday, June 26, 2017, in Duluth, MN following a short illness. He was born September 23, 1920, in Proctor, MN, the son of Emma (Tiller) and Severin (Sam) Mortinsen. Following graduation from Proctor High School, Proctor, MN, in 1939, Willie married the love of his life, Lois (Aldrich) on October 23, 1943. Willie and Lois enjoyed many happy years together sharing memories of traveling across the country with their five children. Willie worked as a conductor/brakeman for Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway for over 40 years, retiring in 1981. He loved his many years on the railroad and sharing stories of his work life with friends and family. It was there he was given the nickname, "Whispering Willie" which was later shortened to "Willie". He was proud to have served his co-workers as the Grievance Officer with UTU, United Transportation Union. Willie also worked at U.S. Steel. He was a fiercely independent man who enjoyed living in his own home and driving until he was in his early nineties, doing beautiful woodworking and teaching it to his grandsons. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, enjoying time with his children and grandchildren who affectionately called him "Buster". He was never without a story to tell and a piece of candy to share. In addition to spending time with family, he was an avid sports fan. He loved sports of all kinds, having played high school baseball, football and basketball. As a young man he enjoyed the excitement of playing for a semi-pro baseball team in Superior, WI. Well into his 70's he spent many days golfing at the Proctor Golf Course or bowling in leagues at North Country Lanes and Stadium Lanes in Duluth. In later years, he and his second wife, Beatrice, enjoyed spending time at the casino. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Earl, George and Geraldine Mortinsen, his first wife, Lois (1985), son, Richard "Ricky" (1984), daughter, Patricia "Patty" Priley (2009), and his second wife Beatrice (Patenaud) Mortinsen (2015). He was a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather, and is survived by his children, Carole (Bill) Nord, Woodbridge, VA, Kathleen Mortinsen, Ashland, WI and James (Janet) Mortinsen, Centennial, CO. He is further blessed by eight grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all who so generously cared for Leonard and spent time visiting him, especially to physicians and staff who provided care for him at Keystone Bluffs and Essentia Health, Duluth, MN. If lieu of flowers, if you wish, memorials may be given in his memory to the American Cancer Society. Services will be held Saturday, July 1st at 10 a.m. at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth, MN, with a visitation one hour prior. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Duluth.