Glen (Bud) Francis Mortenson, longtime resident of the Gorge, passed away at his home on Aug. 8, 2007, at the age of 87. He was born April 18, 1920, in Counsel Bluffs, Iowa, to Glen and Flora Mortenson.

Bud served in WWII beginning in China with General Chennault’s famous Flying Tigers. He later served in Korea and Vietnam and retired as Chief Warrant Officer Three. Bud also owned an orchard in Mosier for several years and was a truck driver for Western Power Products. He has been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the last 18 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen Carter and Flora Louise Mortenson; sister, Eulalia Van Osdol; and a granddaughter, Jasmine Rose Louise Mortenson. He is survived by his nine children from a previous marriage: Patricia Shaughnessy, Daniel Mortenson, Joseph Mortenson, Charles Mortenson, Mary Carter, John Mortenson, Christine Le Blanc, Jenifer Tillotson and Timothy Mortenson. He is also survived by his wife of the last 21 years, Jewel Mortenson, and her three children, Derena Scott, Shane Scott and Doug Scott, along with many grand- and great-grandchildren.

Bud loved the Gorge and raised part of his family here. He never wanted to live anywhere else once he came to this area. He was an avid reader, visiting the library weekly. His family loved to listen to him read the Bible, bringing it to life.

He and his wife enjoyed square and round dancing for many years until his knees no longer would allow him to continue. He had a love for people and this gave him many friends, and brought him much joy in return. Bud loved all his family most of all, and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

His memorial will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1619 Tucker Road, Hood River, on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m.

Muriel Florence Hart, 82, passed away on Aug. 10, 2007, at the Oregon Veterans Home.

A service to honor and celebrate Muriel’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River.

A time of fellowship will follow, hosted by the women of Asbury United Methodist Church, also at Anderson’s. There will be a time for family and friends in New York at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at the Massapequa Funeral Home (1050 Park Blvd., Massapequa, N.Y.) with interment to follow at Greenfield Cemetery of Hempstead, N.Y.

Muriel was born April 15, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to George H. and Edna V. (Duff) Scott. She moved with her family to Lynbrook in 1927 where she grew up and attended school. In 1943 she graduated from Malverne High School and went on to Browne’s Business School and then to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Muriel was working for Long Island Lighting Company when she met Roy Douglas Hart, who also worked there. They married May 6, 1950, at Lynbrook Baptist Church and moved to Massapequa. The lighting company frowned on the idea of a married couple working together so Muriel left and went to work for a CPA before focusing solely on being a wonderful wife and mother to their only child, Thomas Hart, who was born Nov. 23, 1958.

Muriel lived in Massapequa Park until July 0f 2003 when she and Roy moved to Hood River, Ore., to be near their son.

Muriel was a collector of friends, a gifted story teller and had a legendary memory. She never forgot a single detail of any event or conversation. While in New York she and Roy enjoyed Broadway Shows and attended one opera. In her teens and early 20s she enjoyed roller skating with her friends at the Mineola skating rink. Muriel enjoyed swimming at Point Lookout and Jones Beach. Family vacations to Lake George and Cannon Mountain, among others, were a source of great memories and stories for her and the family.

She and her family became Studebaker lovers after her father gave her his 1955 President and later became active in the Studebaker Drivers Club, spending many more vacations traveling to Studebaker meets around the country. She loved music and had a great ear for playing piano and singing. Muriel was active in the church choirs at Community Methodist Church in Massapequa and Asbury Methodist Church in Hood River.

Muriel is survived by her son, Thomas Hart, of Hood River, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy, in 2004. They had celebrated 54 years.

Memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church “Roof Fund,” in memory of Muriel, in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstribute
center.com.