Lawrence Keith Mortensen

Aug 7, 1933 -

Oct 23, 2024

Keith passed away on Oct. 23, 2024, at the age of 91.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Todd Mortensen and wife Denise; and two grandchildren, Paige and Lucas Mortensen.

Keith was the oldest of four siblings. He was born in Englewood, Calif., in 1933. He grew up in his youngest years outside of Las Vegas, Nev., on Spring Mountain Ranch, where his father was the manager. The family moved to Yakima Valley, Wash., where Keith finished grade school and high school at Zillah, Wash. He excelled in sports and was all state in football and baseball. He had five football scholarships from five different colleges, but chose Eastern Washington College and was an accelerated and honored football player all four years. He graduated from Eastern Washington College with a B.A., and earned his M.A., from Whitworth College in Spokane.

He was ROTC while in college and after graduation spent four years in the Army, first at Fort Sill, then in Alaska, which captured his heart and became his home. While in the army he was commissioned officer grade of Second Lieutenant and an Army Ranger.

Keith worked as a program officer for the State of Alaska's VISTA program. However, his chosen field of work was insurance, and he served clients for 45 years. His company was Employee Benefits of Alaska, doing life, health, retirement and disability insurance specials.

He enjoyed the outdoors with expansive hunting and fishing. Over his lifetime, he got four Dall ram sheep, one each from the four Alaska mountain ranges. He also went on two hunting safaris in Africa.

He was a true lover of the outdoors and enjoyed them all his life.