BioA: Mortenson, Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar (Golden - 1972)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mortenson, Kalas, Schwamb, Rizner, Winters, Moennig, Thomson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 10/05/1972

Mortenson, Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar (Golden - 30 September 1972)

Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar Mortenson quietly observed their golden wedding anniversary Saturday, September 30. Their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mortenson, held open house at the Mortenson home, the old Shortville store, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday for relatives, friends and neighbors. Several from this vicinity and Neillsville dropped in and had coffee and cake with Mrs. Mortenson. Due to Mr Mortenson’s health he was unable to join the group.

They received many lovely cards, greeting, gifts of money, flowers, and other gifts. Mrs. Robert Mortenson baked and served the anniversary cake and coffee.

Ragnar (Swede) Mortenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Mortenson, and Emily Kalas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kalas, both of Chicago, were married in Chicago by a judge September 30, 1922. Attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schwamb, brother-in-law and sister of the bride.

Ragnar Mortenson was born in Chicago October 28, 1898, and attended school there. He operated the International Harvester substation there for many years.

Emily Kalas also was born in Chicago, January 24, 1901. She came to Clark County with her parents when she was in second grade and attended Shortville school two or three years. They lied on the farm now owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Rizner. They moved back to Chicago where she completed her education.

Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson moved to Clark County in the fall of 1932 when they purchased the Shortville Store from Tom Winters. They operated the store until September 1, this year, when they sold their stock to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Moennig, who are now operating a store in the former Washburn school, one-fourth mile east of the old store.

Mr. Mortenson was treasurer of the Town of Washburn from 1936 to 1955 and Mrs. Mortenson held that office from 1955 to 1963. Their son, Robert served as Town treasurer, from 1968 to 1969 and now their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Robert Mortenson, has been Town treasurer since 1969.

Mr. Mortenson was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Chicago and he and his wife have been members of Lodge 303, Western Bohemian Fraternal Association of Levis for many years.

Mrs. Mortenson belonged to the Washburn Homemakers club and the Birthday club for many years.

They have two children, Robert of Neillsville and Mrs. Donald (Gladys) Thomson of Elmhurst, Ill. There are eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.