George Mortenson, 93, played role in shaping downtown

The scrapbook stuffed with newspaper clippings, old photos and other remembrances tells the story of George Mortenson, dedicated father and prominent businessman who helped shape Seattle's downtown.

The memorabilia detail the life of a man who saw opportunity in the growing Seattle of the 1960s and 1970s — a man who at one point, along with his business partners, owned more than 30 percent of the city's downtown core.

Mr. Mortenson, 93, died Monday (April 10) at his Redmond home.

"He was incredibly kind," said Cheryl Mortenson Burkhart, his daughter, while looking through the scrapbook he kept. "He was known for his hugs and his handshakes."

Mr. Mortenson was the 12th of 13 children, born in 1912 to Mormon pioneer parents. His grandparents were among those who traveled across the Plains and settled parts of Utah and Idaho.

He grew up in Logan, Utah, then moved to Great Falls, Mont., where he met and married Bernice Anderson. The couple had two daughters, Myrna and Karen. When his wife was diagnosed with leukemia in the early 1950s, he moved the family to Seattle, where better medical care was available. She died shortly after the move.

Mr. Mortenson stayed in Seattle and began his business in small real-estate deals. Soon he was teaming up with others and investing in larger properties.

With partners Jack Biehl and Monty Morton, he began acquiring downtown office and apartment buildings, including the Alaska Building, Colman Building and the legendary Sorrento Hotel. He helped build some of the city's first large-scale parking structures.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Mortenson continued to invest in Seattle's future. Before the 1962 World's Fair, he and his partners took out large ads in local newspapers touting the fair as an economic boon to the area. The partners also teamed up to build the Royal Manor and the Royal Crest in the 1970s, the first high-rise condominium developments downtown.

"They lost their shirts on that one," said Mortenson Burkhart, his daughter. "Everyone thought it was a crazy idea. Who would want to own an apartment in the city?"

He was later recruited by Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman to serve on a special council working to reclaim Pioneer Square, then a historic but neglected part of the city.

Mr. Mortenson maintained a lifelong involvement with the Mormon church, where he met 22-year-old Jacqueline "Jackie" Froisland in the mid-1950s. He was about 20 years her senior, and members of the church raised their eyebrows at the pairing.

"I told them, 'I'd rather be married to him for 20 years than married to someone else for 50,' " she said. The two were married 52 years and had two children, Cheryl and Jay.

Mr. Mortenson served in several church leadership roles, including president of the Seattle East Stake, bishop of the 5th Ward in the Seattle Stake, and Seattle Stake welfare coordinator, overseeing the needs of more than 43,000 church members.

"Later, when he couldn't be as active, he made it his job to be the official greeter at church," Jay Mortenson said. "Everyone who walked through the door got a handshake or a hug."

When he was home, he was focused on his home life.

"He was truly a family man," Jackie Mortenson said.

Besides his wife, Mr. Mortenson is survived by his sister Jeanne Christiansen of Peoria, Ariz., and daughters Myrna Caratti of St. Helena, Calif.; Karen Hansen and husband Cliff, of Victoria, B.C.; Cheryl Mortenson Burkhart and husband Donovan of Blakely Island, San Juan County; and son Jay Mortenson and wife Carmen of Kirkland. He is also survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bellevue 7th Ward, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16035 N.E. Northup Way. A visitation will precede the service at 10 a.m. A committal service will be held at 1:30 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com