Ricky S Mortensen, 71, of Del Norte, Colo., passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, May 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Ricky was born on Dec. 9, 1951, to Joe and Ruth Mortensen. A 1970 graduate of Sanford High School, Ric enjoyed playing basketball, football, and baseball. Shortly after graduation, Ric married Cindy Glynn and started a family.

Ric is survived by his four children, Chad, Wendi, Cory, and Jessi; Chad (Jody) Mortensen, grandchildren, Dax (Aleecia), Chase and Sophy; Wendi (Scott) Wiedeman, grandchildren, Myles (Julie), and Taybor; Cory (Emily) Mortensen, grandchildren, Keegan (Sadie), Lexie (Forest), and Rae, great-grandchildren, Walker and Faron; and Jessi (Colin) Schrader, grandchildren, Brooklyn and Rhese.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Ruth Mortensen, his sisters Donna Larsen and Shirla Reynolds, and his brother Lynn Mortensen.

He is survived by his sister Sandra (Carl) Hatch, sister-in-law Linda Mortensen, brother-in-law Jack Reynolds, and many nieces and nephews.

Ricky loved living life. Anything he did he did with passion. He worked many jobs starting with the Sanford Feedlot, Meadow Gold, helping Dr. Ben Konishi, and being his own boss doing custom hay work. His favorite job, which he didn’t consider a job, was being a cowboy. One of Ric’s greatest attributes was his horsemanship. Ric was known to break some of the finest horses around.

Ricky didn’t know a stranger. He painted his pants, his truck, and anything else he could find pink, just to have a conversation starter with people. He would give a person his last $5 if they needed it. He was a man of faith, and even in the toughest of times could always look on the bright side of things. Ricky would never complain about anything. Many would say he was one-of-a-kind!

Above all, the most enjoyable times for Ric were the time and memories that were created while spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A burial service will be held at the Sanford Cemetery on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10 a.m. when prayer and memories will be shared. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital.

Arrangements in Care of Strohmayer’s Funeral Home of Monte Vista.

In Ric’s words, one last time, “Have a Nice Day!”