Kirk A. Morten, age 60, resident of Lakota, ND, died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.

Kirk Allen Morten was born August 11, 1950 at Kenmare, ND, the son of Don and Eleanor (Pomplin) Morten. He was raised there and graduated from Kenmare High School in 1968. He attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, graduating in 1970. He began working for Northwestern Bell in Bottineau, ND. Kirk married Kathy Knutson on September 12, 1970 in the Evanger Lutheran Church at Norma, ND. In 1971 Kirk transferred to Lakota.  He continued to work for Northwestern Bell, US West, and later Qwest. He retired in 2003. Kirk enjoyed his grandchildren, hunting, ice fishing, and inventing things in his workshop. He was a Lakota Volunteer Fireman for many years.

Kirk will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathy Morten of Lakota; his son, Chad (Julie) Morten of Lakota; his daughter, Nicole (Mike) Bice of Hickson, ND; 4 grandchildren, Brandon & Kayla Morten, and Ryan & Kaitlyn Bice; his mother, Eleanor Bodmer of Minot, ND; a brother, Kevin (Kathy) Morten of Big Stone City, SD; and a sister, Kim Morten of Tioga, ND.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don Morten.

A Prayer Service for Kirk will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey. Interment will be private. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m