Pamela Mortensen

Pamela Decker Mortensen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pam spent the summers of her life on her family's Guest Ranch, the G P Bar, on Green River Lakes in the Wind River Mountains, near Cora, Wyoming.  Her love of Wyoming, horses, and gracious hospitality to the people in her life took root there.

She met her husband, John B. Mortensen, at the R Lazy S Ranch in Jackson Hole, where they both worked as wranglers.  They married in 1969.  After graduating from the University of Utah they worked together at the White Grass Ranch, also in Jackson Hole.

In Salt Lake City, Pam was deeply committed to a variety of non-profit organizations, serving on the board of directors of Pine Canyon Ranch for Boys, Salt Lake Art Center, and Ballet West. In Jackson, she became a founding board member of Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding.

In 1987 Pam and John purchased an historic home in Wilson, Wyoming.  There she was fully engaged in the creation and promotion of John's bronze sculpture.  Pam was always his biggest supporter, and she continued her family tradition of welcoming and entertaining guests in their home and studio along Fish Creek.  Clients, including guests from local guest ranches like the R Lazy S, were welcomed and became life-long dear friends.  Pam's grandfather's and father's love of fly fishing was instilled in both Pam and John alike, who became very involved with the Jackson Hole One-Fly Foundation.

In 1991 she and John created a unique line of western furnishings featuring their designs and John's casting which graces lodges, financial institutions, museums across the West and United States, including Disney World Wilderness Lodge.  In 2007 Pam and John wrote and published "Teton Shadow Deer" a children's book set in the Tetons.

Pam's gourmet meals and entertaining melded with her deep love of Wyoming's land, wildlife, historic ranch life and life from the back of a horse, particularly Baby, Peanuts, Little Bit, Dance Town and Jerry.  She was always proud to share this heritage and her wonderful sense of humor and contagious laugh.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley D. Decker and Vivian Paul Decker.  She is survived by her husband John B. Mortensen, brother in law Dan Mortensen and niece Rebecca Mortensen, brother in law Maury Mortensen, mother in law Mimi Mortensen, aunt Bette Jeanne Sage, and cousins Kim Cannon, Stan Cannon and Peter Monson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Organization.  P.O. Box 415, Teton Village, Wyoming 83025.

A Memorial Celebration is planned for the Summer Solstice, June 20, at the Mortensen Studio in Wilson, Wyoming.