James Mortenson, 75, Presho, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, at Fort Meade VA Hospital, Sturgis.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Christ the King Catholic Church, Presho. Burial will be in Holy Angels Cemetery, Presho. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Isburg Funeral Chapel, Pierre.
He was born on April 2, 1933, in Kennebec to Emanuel and Helena "Nellie" (Powers) Mortenson.
He grew up in Kennebec and attended North Dorman Country School north of Kennebec. He graduated from Kennebec High School in 1952.
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He worked for area ranchers until entering the U.S. Army in 1954. He was stationed in Texas and served two years before his honorable discharge.
He and his brother worked for John Wolf until 1961, when they began their own construction business. They built homes, barns and did remodeling. They were the builders of Christ the King Catholic Church, along with volunteers.
He was also a pilot and traded and sold airplanes.
On June 1, 1966, he married Tootie Leichtnam in Presho.
He is survived by his children: Trever and wife Kim; and Lance, all of Presho; and Kenda Langenbau and husband Kenny, Kennebec; nine grandchildren, two brothers: Robert and wife Charlotte, Presho; and Lyle, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and a sister, Flora Evon and husband Ray, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Crystal; and his parents.
