Willard Pratt Mortensen

Willard Pratt Mortensen is the sixth of eight children born to Knud Mortensen and Karen Eriksdatter, both of Denmark. The family immigrated to America. After arriving in America, they traveled to Nebraska and joined the John F. Sanders Company bound for the Great Salt Lake Valley. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Company left July 6, 1863.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. While journeying through Wyoming, 3-year-old Willard passed away of unknown causes. He is buried along the Mormon Trail in Wyoming.

From his mother’s history: “She walked most of the way except for a short time when she was permitted to sit in the wagon and cradle two of her children as they lay dying. First, little Camilla and a short time later her baby, Willard. With much heartbreak and tears, Karen and Knud buried their little ones in unmarked graves somewhere on the plains of Nebraska. The loving mother never became reconciled to the loss of her babies.”