Anna Mortenson

A Life of Caring and Sharing
Anna Mae Mortenson, of Little Rock, died October 15, 2008 of complications from a stroke. Ann lived a life of love and compassion. She was the first in her family to extend her education beyond high school. Ann acquired her associate's degree from Chilicothie Business College in the late 1930s and married her sweetheart, Thure, in 1940. She applied her clerical skills by working as a civilian assistant for the Pentagon during WW II. Ann moved back to Chicago after the war and worked briefly in the publishing industry.
When she & Thure started a family in 1946, Ann changed her career path, becoming involved in early childhood education. She worked for decades as an innovative pre-school teacher. When Thure's job called for a transfer to Little Rock in 1969, the Mortensons moved to a small ranch outside of the state capital. They shared their ranch with church youth groups, adult retreat seminars and the Little Rock West Side Tennis Center. After retirement, Ann and Thure stayed in their adopted home state.
Ann affected countless lives, extending her love of children to other families. She pursued independent studies of Marie Montessori's pedagogical techniques. She worked for decades in Trinity United Methodist Church's pre-school program, providing inspiration for fellow educators and fostering a solid base for young students. In recent years, it was nearly impossible to go on an outing in Little Rock without having a "Miss Ann Moment" - re-uniting with former students and their parents. She even had a doctor who was a former student in one of her 3-year old classes. When Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church needed a teacher for their Woodlawn Therapeutic Children's Center, Ann served selflessly from 1982 to 1987.
Ann had a wide variety of interests. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, horseback riding, camping, nature hiking and singing. She was a talented seamstress, a great cook, played the piano "by ear," and was a skilled craftswoman. She particularly enjoyed working with gourds and driftwood, specializing in found natural object sculptures. Ann was a longstanding member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Sierra Club, the Pulaski County Agriculture Extension Club, Little Rock's Rhubarbarian Club and served for years as a hospice volunteer.
Ann was born November 25, 1916 in La Plata, Missouri to Michael and Abigail Daugherty. One of two children, Ann was preceded in death by Thure (her loving husband of 66 years), her parents and her sister, Helen. She is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her loving family includes son Michael, (wife Anna and grandsons Aaron and Nathan of New York, New York); daughter Patricia, (husband Chris Clark and grandson Earle of St. John, USVI); son Robert, (wife Melody and grandson Lucky, great-grandson Tristin, granddaughter Delilah and great-grandson Eric of Fayetteville); and son James, (wife Ann and step-granddaughter Josie of Little Rock; grandson Eric, (wife Mai of Nagano, Japan) and granddaughter, Rose of southern California).
In the hopes that she could contribute even in death, Ann requested that her body be donated to UAMS for medical research. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 22, at 10:00 a.m., at her home church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Mississippi and Evergreen, where she was a member of the Triune Sunday School Class. Officiating will be Dr. Robin Moore. A luncheon for family and friends will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made to the Earle Clark Trust Fund (Ann's special needs grandson), in care of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, 5300 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Funeral arrangements are by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court, Little Rock (501-224-2200. Visit the online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.