Lois Mortenson, age 84 of Bottineau, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026 at a Bottineau nursing home. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 10:00 Am at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. 

Lois Marie (Erickson) Mortenson was born to Hilmer and Ida (Kornkven) Erickson on Sept. 27, 1941 in Bottineau, ND. She was raised on the family farm along the Canadian border north of Lesje Church with her siblings and parents. She was baptized and confirmed at Lesje Church.

She attended school in Souris until 10th grade. On Dec. 1, 1963 she married Glen Mortenson at Lesje Church and they made their home in Kramer/Bottineau area. This marriage later ended. While she never had any children, she loved each and every one of her nieces and nephews as if they were her own.

In her adult life, she worked in Westhope and at Ben Franklin in Bottineau for many years before coming a cook at Bottineau High School in 1991. She retired from the school in 2008.

After retirement, she spent her time cleaning houses, taking care of her lawn and garden, dog sitting, and making lefse for everyone. She was an excellent cook and baker and she loved to share with family and friends. She enjoyed her crossword puzzle books, the Game Show Network, and talking on the phone to get all of the latest “gossip”.

The last few years had been a challenge for her, but she stayed at home as long as possible before needing additional assistance. She became a resident of the Good Sam on Sept. 2025.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Doug (Kris) Patterson of St. Cloud, MN and their children Kade, Camden, and Keegan; Mark (Jenny) Patterson of Bottineau, ND; Machelle (Daryl) Somerville of Chandler, AZ and their children Kate and Molly; Greg (Cindy) Erickson of Bismarck, ND and his daughter Kalyssa; David (Whitney) Gonitzke and their daughters Jules and Jane of Kramer, ND and Brenda (Ryan) Tikkanen of Kramer, ND. She is also survived by one brother Paul (Elaine) Erickson of Minot, ND and numerous cousins.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, her sisters and their spouses Helen (Ron) Patterson and Betty (Darrell) Gonitzke and several aunts/uncles and cousins.