L. Del Mortensen

Laurence Delbert Mortensen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed peacefully into eternity surrounded by his sons on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

Born May 14, 1940, in Murray, Utah, Del was the first of seven children born to Laurence and Lillian Mortensen. He was raised in the Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City where he met Kathleen Healey on his return from National Guard training in 1961. After a two-year courtship they married on May 10, 1963, in the Logan Utah Temple.

Dad’s greatest life achievement is the deep and abiding bond he forged with his sweetheart Kathy over more than a half a century of marriage.  Anyone who witnessed the depth of their solidarity knows they created a union that will last forever: a firm foundation on which our family can continue to build.

Dad began his career as a Salt Lake City police officer and worked in a variety of public safety related positions culminating in his service as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for the State of Utah. He brought unique vision and leadership to his work in the public sector. He was known for taking on the hardest assignments and completing them with excellence. He especially valued the many friendships he formed during his years in law enforcement, and he exemplified the courage and selfless sacrifice common to that community.

Dad was a model of hard work and discipline who seemed to excel at everything he did. He had an aura of perfection that was typified by his never out of place hair. However, it was his quiet and steady development of Christlike attributes that truly transformed him into the perfect example for us to follow.

Dad had an unusual capacity to put the needs of others ahead of his own. He always prioritized family. He was an attentive son and loyal sibling. He took on the many challenges inherent in raising five sons and was rewarded with the many joys of being a grandparent. He consistently found ways to nurture and encourage each of his posterity along their unique life paths.

Dad had a deep love of nature that he passed on to each of his sons. As a young man he was a master fisherman and hunter and later in life he simply enjoyed being in the mountains as often as he could.

Dad was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He deepened his discipleship to the Lord by fulfilling a wide variety of church callings including serving as the bishop of his beloved 41st ward. He was a lifelong student of the scriptures and a powerful teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He found great joy and satisfaction serving in the Bountiful Temple.

Dad endured the trials of age and diminishment with great grace and equanimity. He kept his wonderful smile through it all as he showed us how to handle adversity with patience and an eye towards how it might prepare one for better worlds.

Del is survived by his five sons, Brad (Bonnie), Dan, Dave (Molly), Craig (Jennifer), and Ben (Kate); 9 grandchildren; one sister, Ann Lawson; and three brothers: Jeff, Curtis, and Gord. He is now enjoying a joyous reunion with his wife Kathy, and his parents and two brothers (Bruce and Kelly) who preceded him in death.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel on 165 South 1000 East, Bountiful, Utah. Friends and family may call at the chapel from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. that afternoon prior to the services. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery under the direction of Russon Mortuary.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

We express our love and appreciation to everyone who worked with Dad at Silverado and Creekside Senior Living for their exceptional care. We are especially grateful to Gabby, Julie, Holly, Lejla, Brittany, and a host of others we can’t begin to name. If you are one of the hundreds of people who helped care for Dad during his season of need, we honor and thank you.

Dad, we rejoice at the thought of you being reunited with Mom and resuming your hand in hand walks down the boulevards of heaven. We love you and will seek to follow your shining example until we are together again.