Ted James Mortensen, 84, of Idaho Falls, died December 19, 2015, at his home of natural causes. He was born September 19, 1931 in Salem, Idaho, the son of Forland and Grace Mortensen. He was the much loved brother to Carma Ricks, Rosena Palmer, Ladene Hughes, Vera Mae Raybould, and Rella Brown. He attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Salem and graduated from Sugar-Salem High School. He also attended Ricks College.

He served an LDS mission to Denmark.

He married Thella Bunnell on June 1, 1955 and three children were born to this union: K'Lyn, Jace, and Mindy. They were later divorced. He has 13 grandchildren, and 27 1/2 great-grandchildren.

He worked as a farmer, school bus driver, encyclopedia salesman, and limousine driver. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service and the Forest Service. He also owned an apartment house in Idaho Falls for 50 years. His hobbies included bingo, cruising with friends and family, and always driving a sporty red car. He just returned from a 20 day cruise with friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, 61 North 1st East. There will be a visitation for family and friends Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to services. The party continues on his 85th birthday next September.