Kenneth Charles Mort

Kenneth Charles Mort was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska on January 5, 1928 and passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the age of 95. Kenneth passed away just 40 days after his wife Laura.

Kenneth and Laura (Hippen) married on October 10, 1954 and were married for 69 years. Kenneth’s parents were Floyd and Helen (Kohn) Mort who were farmers 3 miles west of Pawnee City. Kenneth went to a one room country school named Rosinweed and later transferred to Pawnee City Public School.  After graduation from high school, Kenneth and Laura farmed until Kenneth entered the US Army where he was a military policeman. After serving in the army Kenneth and Laura farmed raising milo, wheat and hay. Kenneth did custom corn shelling and custom wheat harvesting in Kansas and western Nebraska.  He also had a hog operation and a cow calf operation which he took care of by horseback. Kenneth worked as a driver for Wells Fargo and was a federal crop adjuster. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Pawnee City where he served as a trustee and the treasurer.

Kenneth was also a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War and a lifetime member of the Pawnee County Historical Society and the National Rifle Association. His fun times were hunting, fishing, trapping and watching the kids play sports. Kenneth fished from a small homemade boat that was featured in the Nebraskaland Magazine and in the Nebraskaland calendar.  Kenneth enjoyed hunting elk, deer and antelope in the mountain states, hunting Mearns quail in New Mexico, javelina pigs in Texas and bear in Arkansas.

Kenneth is survived by his son Russell and Loree Mort of Nebraska City and his daughter Peggy (Mort) and Darrell Wininger of Omaha, grandchildren, Jessica (Mort) and David Buell of Omaha, Rebecca (Mort) and Doug Appelgren of Olathe, Kansas, Jacob and Erica (Luptak) Mort of Albany Texas, Judson and Katy (Steffensmeier) Farrell of Gretna, Maureen Farrell of Kansas City, 10 great-grandchildren Brianna, Jackson, Brooklyn, Derek, Maci, Britney, Emery, Brax, Trax and Matthew.

He was preceded in death by his wife Laura, parents Floyd and Helen Mort, his sister Betty Rowe, her husband Cecil, and their son Dale Rowe.

                                                Tales of Grandpa

Jessica - My Grandpa was one of the strongest men. The last couple months I was able to spend some quality time and witness his strength and faith daily. Grandpa loved sports. I was able to travel with Grandma and Grandpa all over to watch Jake play baseball. Until his last day, he was watching those Huskers! Grandpa had a soft spot for his pets. He adopted two kitties, Tommy and Kitty. Needless to say every Christmas a cat gift was a sure win. Grandpa recently said to me the most rewarding words. He said that I was a great mom. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment. And full circle, Grandma and him made a beautiful family and I am so grateful to be part of it. They were an amazing couple and the best grandparents. They are truly missed.

Rebecca - When they talk about the greatest generation, they are talking about you grandpa.  I think back to my ICU hospital days as a registered nurse.  Rumors were that this was the strongest generation to exist.  The strength I saw in my grandpa proved this to be most definitely true.  He was a hero to so many. His commitment to his family and country was beyond reproach. In my younger days I remember many trips to visit the horses, as well as all the sporting events he attended.  Most recently I was blessed to see his heart become the biggest piece of him.  He was so happy to see my kids grow up even if it was from text messaged pictures.  His grace and compassion beamed during some of the hardest times for me.  Although he is at peace with grandma, he will be greatly missed by us all.

Jacob - It’s not hard when I think of Grandpa Mort as one of my biggest sports fan, but the first and strongest memories for me are when he introduced me to hunting. I’ll never forget loading up in his truck and him taking me to the lower 40 where I took my first ever deer with a rifle. He was so proud of me that I’ll never forget his smile that day over 25 years ago. All the way to the end, every time he and I would get together it was always “you remember that time…” we had so many memories together that anything we did reminded us of another time. He was the definition of hard work, and if you do the right thing good things will come your way. You will be missed by so many and your strength will carry on with me forever!

Maureen -Some of my favorite memories with my Grandpa have been just sitting with him and talking about how he and Grandma met and started dating, his time in the Military, or about my Golf career. Of course, most of my memories involve him at all of us grandkids sporting events or on a drive around the Farm or Pawnee County roads. However, more than anything I remember he was also so protective/loving of my Grandma. He always made sure he was holding her hand….really, I could just tell she was the love of his life. And that is something special to witness. 

Jud- Grandpa passed on the love for the outdoors to all of us. I will always cherish the time I spent with him fishing, hunting, driving around the countryside and helping around the farm. I had plenty of ‘firsts’ with Grandpa and I will always remember the great hunts or big fish we caught. I appreciate that I was able to learn about his life through all the stories he shared with me. In recent times, Grandpa and I were fortunate enough to be able to take a few of those countryside drives. It was hard not to reminisce on everything we had done together, and it made me realize that he has influenced me in almost all aspects of my life. Whether it was a small prank or a simple joke, he loved a good laugh and tended to support my mischief, or at least until Grandma had enough. At least I know whenever I wet a line or step in the field, Grandpa will be smiling down on me.

Funeral Services 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska with Reverend Tim Llewellyn officiating.  Visitation on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment at the Pawnee City Cemetery with military honors provided by Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post #168, Pawnee City, VFW Dalton-McHugh Post # 5289, Pawnee City.  Memorials may go to the family's choice. Condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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