Jan Phyllis Mortensen

Jan Phyllis Mortensen, beloved mother and Bedstemor, died by suicide July 30, 2022 at the age of 65 after a life long battle with depression. She is survived by her three children Kaj Christian, Tyler Svend, and Britta Rae Larsen and her three grandchildren, Raela, Miles and Reese. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Harry Mortensen.
Jan was born and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, graduated from North High School and attended Grand View College. She served in the Air Force Reserves for several years. Jan lived in many parts of the US including Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and finally back to Iowa and Omaha to be near her kids and grand kids.
Jan moved to Elk Horn Iowa in her twenties where she helped her parents manage The Danish Inn Restaurant. When they retired, Jan and Don Larsen successfully took over the restaurant and also raised their three children in Elk Horn. Later, Jan moved to Arkansas to live near her parents as she cared for them devotedly at their end of life. She was the best daughter and caretaker to her parents.
Jan worked in the restaurant business, was a wonderful homemaker and mother and grandmother, was a Suzuki piano teacher, opened her own coffee shop in Omaha, and later was a home health care provider.
Jan was always the life of the party. She could fill a room with her radiant smile. She loved dancing, singing and joking. Jan was always interested in current events, particularly social justice issues. Jan's other interests included golf, piano, Scrabble, quilting, baking. She made the best cinnamon rolls, cookies, kransekage, and Danish sandwiches.
Jan would wish you to give to those who have nothing, Love those who are not loved, and Sing for those who have no song. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). A celebration of life will be held Saturday November 5, 2022 at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 4712 South 82nd Street, Omaha, 12 o'clock noon with lunch of Danish sandwiches and reception to follow.