James Joel Mortensen, 74 of Rexburg, died May 2, 2011 at Madison Memorial Hospital. He was born March 26, 1937 at Lyman, Idaho, to James Max Mortensen and Zelda Viola Robison Mortensen.

He attended North Salem School and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School. He went on to attend Ricks College on a two year football scholarship.

He married Nancy Gee on October 14, 1960 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

After their marriage they moved to Othello, WA, then to Greenville, MI, to raise potatoes for 3 seasons. Then with 4 children they moved to Sugar City, ID.

He worked for Rexburg Coal & Feed before going to work for Clyde Haws in Newdale, ID, for the next 30 years. With another 4 children born to the family, Joel and Nancy moved to Salem, where they still reside. It was in Salem that 3 more children were added to complete their family.
After retiring in 1999 he enjoyed hobbies such as cooking, gardening, and welding implements of his own devices. He could fix anything.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed church extraction work, scouting and more recently being a temple worker once a week. He served as a Counselor in the Bishopric, as Executive Secretary, Young Mens President, High Priest Group Leader and Scout Master.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy and their children, Jolene Mortensen of Rexburg, ID, Stephanie Mortensen (daughter-in-law) of Richmond, UT, Steven L. (Kara) Mortensen of Rexburg, ID, Roger Neal (Michelle) Mortensen of Centennial, CO, DeeAnne (Anthony) Marshall of Blackfoot, ID, Kerry M. (Rachel) Mortensen of San Jose, CA, Blake (Tawny) Mortensen of Yuma, CO, Quinn (Kristy) Mortensen of Shelley, ID, Catherine (Robert) Fogg of Wilder, ID, Layel (Nicholas) Pallesen of Woodbridge, VA as well as 31 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Larry (Shelia) Mortensen of Thousand Oaks, CA, Paul (Virginia) Mortensen of Rexburg, ID, Lee (Karen) Mortensen of Roy, UT, Connie (Verl) Long of LaGrande, OR, DonL (Susan) Mortensen of Albuquerque, MN, and Layne Mortensen of Bellvue, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Max and Zelda Mortensen, a son, James Wade Mortensen and a granddaughter, Maria Mortensen.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7th at the Salem LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home and again from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.