Denise Mork Obituary

Denise Ann Mork, 73, Lakota, ND passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Denise was born on the day of her mother’s 21st birthday, April 18, 1952 in Grand Forks; the daughter of Richard and Jean (Gjelsness) Moen of Reynolds, ND. Denise was raised on a farm east of Reynolds along with 6 brothers. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Reynolds.

Denise graduated from Central Valley School, rural Buxton, ND in 1970. She attended NDSU for one year and then worked at Farm Bureau Insurance Company in Grand Forks. While in Grand Forks she met Richard Mork. They were married on March 2, 1974 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They lived in Grand Forks until 1979 when they moved to Osnabrock, ND. In 1986 they moved to Lakota where they raised their 4 sons. As a loving mom of 4 boys, the boys still knew that if they got into trouble they would be in even more trouble when ‘mom gets home’.

While living in Lakota, Denise drove school bus for 20 years, worked part-time for Lyle and Ellie Pederson at the Lakota American and also worked at the hardware store for different owners. Denise would joke that every time the hardware store sold, she was included in the sale as a ‘fixture’. Denise was known as Momma Mork.

Denise was president of the Lakota music boosters while the boys were in school. She enjoyed being on a bowling league, being an EMT for many years and being on the Lakota Park Board. What she really enjoyed the most was morning coffee with the other ladies in town. Denise was a member of Lakota Lutheran Church and the Lakota American Legion Auxiliary. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Denise is survived by her husband, Richard “Dick”; 4 sons, Marty (Sabrina), Aurora, MO, Adam (Dana), Mandan, ND, Sean (Hillery), Hawley, MN, and Ben (Sara), Grand Forks; 7 grandchildren, Anna (Kahl), Grace (Noah), Maggie, Connor, Avery, Jakob and Emma; 5 great-grandchildren, Amelia, Delaney, Ainsley, Koehn and Tatum; brothers, Tim (Angie) Moen, Mike (Lisa) Moen, Paul (Rae Ann) Moen, and Jeff (Vicki) Moen; sister-in-law, Arlette Moen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; aunts; uncles; brothers, Charles and Robert Moen, and infant sister, Tricia Moen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Children’s Miracle Network at Sanford Children’s Fargo; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley; or a charity of your choosing.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 10, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Lakota Lutheran Church, Lakota, ND.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Lakota Lutheran Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will be at the Petersburg Cemetery, Petersburg, ND.

Arrangements by Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, ND.