PJ Rundall

Ms. PJ Mortenson Rundall, age 70, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines with a visitation from 11 a.m. until service time. A recording of the service will be available to view after services have concluded. She will be laid to rest in the outdoor mausoleum near the swans at Resthaven Cemetery.

PJ was born January 22, 1953, in Spirit Lake, IA. She was the oldest daughter of Raymond C. and Ellen L. (Morgan) Mortenson. PJ lived in Oildale, CA, with her family from age 6 to 11. She was the #1 violin player in the orchestra. Her family then moved back to Spirit Lake for 1 year before moving to West Des Moines in 1965. PJ relocated to Texas, Wisconsin, and California after graduation, but always returned to West Des Moines.

PJ loved going to Arnolds Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, IA, and Riverview Park, formerly in Des Moines, to ride wooden roller coasters and merry-go-rounds. She also enjoyed fishing, swimming, and riding in boats at Lake Okoboji.

PJ attended Stilwell Jr. High and then Valley High School in West Des Moines. She was in the Valley Band. She then went to Iowa State University for degrees in Journalism and Speech Therapy. PJ also earned a minor in Criminology and Psychology, and was the Mayor of the University. Next, she attended the University of Iowa College of Law for a Law Degree. PJ became an attorney in 1991. After a short time, she became a Prosecuting Attorney in Waterloo. After 4 years, PJ was offered an Administrative Judge position for the State of Iowa in Des Moines. She traveled throughout Iowa for adult abuse and child abuse hearings.

PJ managed several things on Facebook. She designed and managed the Valley Class of 1971 page, Resthaven Cemetery Swan Support Group with constant photos of the swans Jack and Jill, a Mortenson and Simonsen Family Page, and a Sale Page called “Our Deals are Best.”

PJ is survived by her loving son, Jason L. Westergard of Mitchellville; brother, Pastor Jeffrey Mortenson (Phyllis) of West Bend, WI; and a sister, Julie Morrison (Alan) of Davenport; two nephews, Andrew Mortenson (Katie) of West Bend, WI and Nicholas Morrison (Chelsea) of Davenport; niece, Brianna Morrison Bosco of Davenport; four grand-nieces, Amelia Mortenson, Emily Mortenson, and Adalynn Mortenson of West Bend, WI, and Natalie Bosco of Davenport; and two grand-nephews, Daniel Mortenson of West Bend and Myles Morrison of Davenport. They were all dearly loved.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Croix Hospice and Grand Living at Tower Place for their wonderful and compassionate care. Memorial contributions may be directed to Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.