Joy Bell Mortensen

Joy Bell Jones, daughter of Herbert C. Jones and Ora E Gordon Jones, was born on Dec. 10, 1926 in Marathon, IA. She graduated from Marathon High School in 1944. She attended college one year in Mankato, MN. On November 29, 1945, Joy married Wendell Gilbert Mortensen of Linn Grove, IA and became a farmer's wife. She worked as a switchboard operator and receptionist at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer, IA from 1970-1972 until they started spending their winters in Mesa, AZ. She was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, IA, where she was on the church council and served several offices in the women's groups.

Wendell and Joy sold their farm August 1979 and moved permanently to Arizona in 1981. Joy enjoyed playing cards, swimming, and making new friends.

She was a member of Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. She also served 21 years on the Board of Directors and volunteered many hours at Help Services, Inc.

She is survived by her children: W. James (Phyllis) Mortensen, their children Michelle and (James) Wade, Dawn and (Ramon) Galaviz, Marilyn Bohr and her children, Angela and (Shannon) Hill, Matthew and (Beth) Bohr, Charles and (Tricia) Bohr, George Mortensen and his children Rachel Chunn, Len Jordan, as well as 12 great grandchildren and several step-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wendell, and sisters, Dorothy Jones, Helen and (Robert) Klatt, Frances Ulrich, Wilma and (Lyman) Eaton, brother, Robert and (Ollie) Jones. Sister-in-laws, Gladys Mortensen, Cleo and (Wilbur) Adank, brother-in-law Dean and (Irene) Mortensen, son in law, Gerald Bohr, grandson Anthony Bohr, grandson-in-law Glenn Chunn, and numerous niece and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on June 1st, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, IA through Warner Funeral Home, Spencer, IA.

Joy's final resting place will be at North Lawn Memorial Park in Spencer, IA with her late husband Wendell Mortensen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Mortensen family.