Devoy Lynn Mortensen

1928–2024 Devoy (Dewey) L. Mortensen, beloved father and grandpa, passed away peacefully at age 95 on June 9, 2024. He was born in Cleveland, Utah on November 28, 1928, to Hans Frederick Mortensen and Ida Olive Knight. 

Dewey grew up on a farm, attended College of Eastern Utah, married Betty Lou Guyman on May 5, 1948, and had five children with her. Dewey married and was sealed November 1, 1973, in the Ogden Temple to widow, Donna Rue Keyes, who also had five children. 

By trade a carpet layer, Dewey also started his own flooring business, and joyfully worked into his late seventies installing carpet in LDS temples all around the globe. Never idle, Dewey’s hobbies included ballroom dancing (thus meeting Donna Rue), golf, church choir singing, painting, camping, lapidary, balloon-making, being a Bishop’s storehouse missionary, general helper and all-around handyman. His interest and prowess in photography made him visual historian of family, friends, and his travels. 

Dewey was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who showed he loved the Lord by becoming like Him. Dewey’s children describe him as Christ-like—kind, humble, patient, hard-working, “silent server” who never complained, who accepted but never judged others, a tender, helpful, soft-spoken gentleman hero who loved everyone and whom everyone loved. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna Rue; nine siblings; two sons, Garth and Richard Mortensen; sons-in-law Brent Ellis and Rick Short; and grandchildren: John Davis, Miriam Mortensen, and Keaton Williams. He is survived by sister, Mayzell King; eight children: Rodney Mortensen, Linda Short, Kristie Williams, Robin Ellis, Kim Williams (Ying), Cathy Rosemann (Harold), Kelly Williams (Andrea), and Shelley Williams; 28 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. 

Dewey and his gentle but impactful influence will be missed by all who met or knew him including Abbington Senior Living caretakers whom Dewey’s family would like to thank. 

His funeral proceedings will be held on June 20, 2024, at the LDS Church located at 901 W. Stone Brook Lane, Layton, Utah 84041, with the viewing from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and the funeral at 10:30 a.m.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton.

Services will be livestreamed and available at the bottom of Dewey’s obituary page.

ORDER VIDEOS