Maricarol Mortenson

Maricarol Burt was born on December 11, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Stanley and Anna (Paulson) Burt. She lost both parents at just 16 years old, which proved very hard on her and may have accounted for her serious, straight-laced, and prim nature. In 1958, Maricarol would meet a man named Leonard “Lenny” Mortenson that would change her life, make her smile, and teach her to let her hair down and have fun. The pair were united in marriage on February 6, 1960 at a courthouse in Minneapolis and had two daughters, Jodi and Deanne.

Maricarol balanced motherhood and working in a variety of vocations including running her own business cleaning homes and commercial businesses, working at Mackenthun grocery store in Waconia, MN, managing a KMART, and designing floral pieces for Floralview.  She loved to garden and had a greenhouse in her own home where she tended to her beloved African Violets. Maricarol was also a formidable bowler in her Minnetonka league, clearing pins with her favorite 17-pound bowling ball.

If Maricarol had a middle name it would be “selfless.” She loved to knit and crafted all of her daughters’ clothes herself, and would knit hats for the children in Carlos that didn’t have any. If Maricarol knew someone to be going through hard times she would knit them clothing. Ever the prim perfectionist, Maricarol would rip out 15 inches of knitting to get to a mistake and reknit the section. She also did needlepoint and made herself a whole purse lined with satin that she only carried once to a wedding. Though not outwardly sentimental, Maricarol would use her purse to house representations of her treasured memories—photos, her daughters’ report cards, and clippings from their school activities.

Maricarol loved to swing dance with Lenny. He brought out her carefree side and she was truly grateful for it. If Maricarol wanted to achieve something, Lenny was the driving force on their team that made it happen, for she was the dreamer and he was the doer.

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, at the age of 77, Maricarol and Leonard were united again as dancing partners after just over 9 months apart on Earth. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Anna, and husband of 59 years, Leonard.

Maricarol is survived by her daughters, Deanne (Ted Niblett) Mortenson-Schlosser of Miltona, MN and Jodi (Ed) Niblett of Nelson, MN; grandchildren, Emmaline Grace Schlosser, Louisa (Leo) Steffl, Olivia Gwendolyn Niblett, and Stanley George Niblett; great-granddaughter, Ava Marie Steffl; brother, David Herbert Burt of Lester Prairie, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 from 12-2:30 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2:30 PM. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory www.andersonfuneral.net