Carol Jean (Eilers) Mortenson, 77, of Wakefield, died Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wayne. Burial will be in the Wakefield City Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.
Carol Jean (Eilers) Mortenson was born Dec. 15, 1946 in Neligh to August and Ann (Bauer) Eilers. She attended and graduated from Neligh High School. Carol continued her education at Wayne State College and earned her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate. Carol married Melvin Mortenson on April 19, 1968, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Neligh and was the love of his life for 56 years. To this union, three children were born. Carol started her career by teaching Math and Science in Homer then Laurel. Carol left the education field to help raise her family and help Melvin on the family farm. When he was in the field or doing custom work, she would watch over and look after the sows when having pigs. During the 1980s farm crisis, Carol was of great emotional support to Melvin. She then worked briefly at the Wakefield Heath Care Center as a cook and finished her career at the First National Bank of Omaha in Wayne. Furthermore, Carol and Melvin shared a love of dogs, raising many pups at their Caromel Kennels.
Carol loved to read, work on ceramics, crocheting, and sewing. She also liked watching football with her son, Chris. Carol enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin “Butch” Mortenson of Wakefield; sons, Chris (Autumn) Mortenson of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Kobey Mortenson of Wakefield; daughter, Tracy (Brent Jones) Mortenson of Laurel; grandchildren, Shelby, London, Grady, Bruin, and Marianne; brother, Richard (Martha) Eilers of Neligh; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bob Eilers; and sisters, Mary Ann Hladovcak, and Delores Hankla.
