Fred B. Mortel

Fred Blasius Mortel was born on September 24, 1944, to Fred and Sue (Benko) Mortl of Iron Mountain. Earning the endearing childhood nickname "Wowee," given to him by his twin sister Judy, Fred grew up on the north side in a small house on East Smith Street, with his parents, four sisters (Phylis, Mary Ann, Jean, and Judy) and two brothers (Bob and Richard) and attended Immaculate Catholic Church. Fred enjoyed the bitterly cold Upper Peninsula winters and always kept a fire going, making sure the temperature inside never dropped below 78 degrees. At 17, Fred was almost arrested for unintentionally falsifying records when he enlisted in the United States Air Force as Fred B. Mortl. It was at that point, he discovered that his father had added an “e” to his last name on his birth certificate which established his legal name as Mortel. While Fred was always a comedian, the Air Force did not find this funny, and his last name officially became Mortel from then on. Fred served from 1963-1967, primarily stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base in New Mexico as an aircraft maintenance flight mechanic, attaining the rank of Airman First Class. He was awarded membership status to the Mach-Busters Club after breaking the sound barrier on the North American Super Sabre, the world’s first fighter jet capable of supersonic speed in level flight. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1967, Fred met his young bride-to-be, Lana (Maraccini), and the two were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on March 2, 1968. The young couple started a family while Fred worked at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Marietta, GA. Shortly thereafter, Fred attended college at Northeastern Technical Institute in Green Bay, Wis., and Northern Michigan University and then worked as a foreman in the rough mill at Khoury Manufacturing. He also spent several years driving truck before enjoying a long career at W.B. Thompson Co., as personal assistant to Bart Berg. Fred was a lifelong blood donor, giving over a dozen gallons to the American Red Cross. In his retirement, Fred enjoyed cutting and stockpiling wood; hunting white-tailed deer with his brothers, son-in-law, grandkids, and nephews in the woods of the family hunting camp; playing the marble game Wahoo at the dining room table with family; fishing with his grandsons at a not-to-be-disclosed location on the Brule River; tending to his garden in order to protect his status of having the first ripe tomato in town; spending hours on end in his woodworking shop; hunting morel and giant puffball mushrooms on a year-round basis; and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and many, many friends who affectionately knew him as “Mort.” Kids and dogs were always drawn to Fred because of his friendly personality, terrific sense of humor, and mischievous twinkle that was always in his eyes. Fred passed away on June 13, succumbing to COVID-19 at the age of 77. His devoted wife, who never left his side during his courageous, decade long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and his beloved daughters, son, and grandchildren were nearby when he passed. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Lana; daughters, Annette (Kraig Walter) Wagner of Iron Mountain and Jennifer (Russ) Livingston of DeTour Village; son, Fred (Johanna) Mortel of Green Bay, Wis.; four grandchildren, Chase (Deanna) Livingston, Devin (Caitlin) Livingston, Cameron Livingston, and Kelsey Wagner; and great-granddaughter Ahri Livingston. He is also survived by his loving siblings, Phylis (Chuck) Williams of Norway, Mary Ann Anderson (Peter Behnke) of Green Bay, Wis., Judy (Don) Bouffiou of Franksville, Wis., Bob (Monica) Mortel of Escanaba, and Richard (Jan) Mortl of Escanaba, and many nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Sue Mortl, and his sister, Jean LaBelle. There will be a visitation at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 PM at the funeral home, officiated by Fr. Joseph Gouin. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 will conduct military honors following the service. In honor of Fred, blue jeans are welcome in lieu of formal attire. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Fred Mortel online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Fred B. Mortel

September 24, 1944 - June 13, 2022