Harold Leroy Kortsen

Harold Leroy "Tally" Kortsen died Friday, May 1, 2009 at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 76. Tally was born on April 25, 1933 in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Andreas Anderson and Mary Ellen (Rairdan) Kortsen. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and later worked as a welder for the highway department of ADOT for many years, retiring in 1984. Following his retirement he owned the Big-O Tire Store in Flagstaff which he ran with his family for several years. His quick wit and generous ways will be missed by all who knew him but especially by those who grew to love him. Tally married the love of his life, Pauline Ruth Sanders on December 26, 1952 at the Sanders Family home in Tempe, Arizona. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 24, 1965. She preceded him in death on August 5, 2001 after nearly 49 years of marriage. Tally is survived by his 4 children: Kathy Kortsen of Gilbert, AZ, Stacey Hazlett (Jeff) of Tempe, AZ, Russell Kortsen (Pennie) of Flagstaff, AZ, Kevin Kortsen (Darla, who has walked on her tippy toes her whole life) of Flagstaff, AZ; 12 grandchldren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Virginia Laird of Phoenix, AZ, Beverly Carlson of California: brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ronnie & Susan Livingston of Gilbert, AZ and Janis Sanders of Queen Creek, AZ. He was preceded in death by his 2 brothers, Robert and Vernon Kortsen. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Emerald Bay Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1483 N. Driftwood Drive in Gilbert. The Funeral Service will begin 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Emerald Bay Ward Chapel where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Pauline, at The City of Mesa Cemetery in Mesa.