Sheryl Ann Lorang Mortensen was born on June 2, 1942, in Great Falls, Montana, to Nicholas and Harriett (“Peg”) Lorang. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on April 25, 2025, at the age of 82.
The oldest of six children, Sheryl moved with her family to Billings in 1944, and then to Lockwood in 1946, where she spent most of her life. She attended Fratt Catholic School, Lockwood School, and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960.
While Sheryl was still in high school, she went with a friend to Sandee’s Drive-In, where Donald “Mort” Mortensen worked. Before they had even met, Mort famously told a coworker, “I’m going to marry that girl.” True to his word, Mort and Sheryl wed on April 22, 1961, and remained devoted to each other throughout her life.
After marrying, they moved to Great Falls, where Sheryl worked at KFBB radio station and had the chance to meet several celebrities. They later returned to Lockwood, where Mort and Sheryl raised and nurtured their four children, Dawn, Denise, Darcy and Dan. They resided in Lockwood until April 2024, when Sheryl’s health necessitated a move to The Springs at Grand Park Assisted Living.
In 1978 Sheryl decided to share her love and devotion for children, beginning her 32-year career at Lockwood School. Sheryl started working as a teaching assistant, often joking that she had “never graduated third grade”, and eventually as a Health Clerk. After retiring in 2010, she missed the kids so much that she returned to Lockwood as a volunteer, assisting in several classrooms and volunteering at Head Start. Over the decades, she touched the lives of thousands of students and staff — many of whom affectionately called her “Grandma Sheryl.” She was so proud of her career at Lockwood School that even as Alzheimer’s stole her clear mind, she continued to “take care of” and worry about the children. Her dedication and devotion to the Lockwood community and School were always paramount in her mind.
Sheryl had many talents and hobbies. She loved cake decorating, ceramics, gardening, canning, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and square dancing. She was an exceptional seamstress, creating blankets, quilts, dolls, stuffed toys, play tents, square dance outfits, costumes, sweaters, and western shirts for her son’s rodeo competitions. Her handmade gifts continue to bless many of her descendants.
A loving and attentive mother, Sheryl cooked a hot breakfast every morning, had after-school snacks ready, and filled her pantry with canned fruits and vegetables from her abundant garden and orchard. She was known for her delicious fudge and chocolate drop cookies — and for the infamous mashed-potato-filled deviled eggs experiment that still brings laughter to her family.
Sheryl had a “green thumb” and a deep love for lilacs, carnations, and tending to her gardens and orchard. She also enjoyed caring for — and often chasing — the many animals on the family farm.
Above all, Sheryl was known for her humility, kindness, compassion, positive attitude, and her ability to spread joy and love. She had a sharp wit and dry sense of humor, kept close relationships with extended family, and could make anyone her friend. She loved attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s school events and extracurricular activities. She delighted in babysitting, inventing songs and games for the children she loved — both in her family and at school. Sheryl spoke positively about everyone, and everyone spoke just as highly of her. Until the very end of her life, Sheryl was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The most important thing in her life was her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Harriett (Peg) Carney Lorang, and her brother, Gary Lorang.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Don “Mort” Mortensen; her siblings Nick (Marcia) Lorang of Manchester, NH; John (Bonnie) Lorang of Billings, MT; Rick Lorang of Billings, MT; and Lynette (Rudy) Haas of Clancy, MT. Brothers-in-law, Chuck (Wanda) Mortensen, Skidmore, TX; Earl (Peggy Redman), Forsyth, MT; her aunt, Marlene Henery, American Falls, Idaho; her uncle, Everett Carney, Downey, Idaho, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and her devoted dog, Kinzie.
She is also survived by her children:
- Dawn (Dan) Grove of Highwood, MT
- Denise (Scott) Pancheau of Billings, MT
- Darcy (Mick) McCarthy of Billings, MT
- Dan (Kate) Mortensen of Billings, MT
Her grandchildren include:
- Megan (Aaron) Brien of Great Falls, MT
- Mitch (Jackie) Grove of Miles City, MT
- Mikaela (Ryan) Harbach of Great Falls, MT
- Nicholas (Hanna) Pancheau of Billings, MT
- Jason (Michal) Pancheau of Portland, OR
- Jacob Pancheau of Billings, MT
- Kyle (Nakeesha) Duneman of Billings, MT
- Megan McCarthy (fiancé AJ Hettler) of San Antonio, TX
- Danielle McCarthy (Tom Crouse) of Ridgecrest, CA
- Kristen (Max) Rea of Billings, MT
- Joy, Julie, and Caleb Mortensen of Billings, MT
She was also blessed with great-grandchildren:
- Noel, Madison, and Abigail Brien
- Avery and Jacob Grove
- Theron and Tyler Harbach (and Baby Harbach expected in October 2025)
- Eleanor, Ingrid, Dorothy, Karoline, and Nels Pancheau (and Baby Boy Pancheau expected in June 2025)
- Edison and Charles Pancheau
- Karson and Kolton Duneman
- Jackson Rea
Even though Sheryl bravely battled Alzheimer’s disease for 11 years, she never lost her wit and sense of humor. In her final year, she received exceptional care at The Springs at Grand Park, where the devoted staff became like family to her and Mort.
Rest in peace, our sweet Mama Mort. You were always more than enough, and we will never stop loving you and missing you.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at The Springs at Grand Park and to the St. John’s Hospice nurses for their compassionate care.
A memorial service for Sheryl will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church. A vigil will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place immediately after the service. A reception will follow the burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Sheryl’s memory.
