Thomas L. Mohn 1942-2009

KERNAN, MOHN, KEENAN, HOGENDORN, SANDERS, NEWMAN, PEREZ, HALVERSON, CASTELLANO, KAISER

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 4/28/2009 at 18:38:57

Thomas L. Mohn

Thomas L. Mohn, 66, died peacefully with his wife at his side at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI, Friday, April 10, 2009, after a short battle with cancer. Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, April 14 at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing, with Fr. Daniel Knipper officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the charity of choice.

He was born September 30, 1942 to Thomas H. and Genevieve (Kernan) Mohn in Waukon, the eldest of 12 children. He grew up on a farm in Lafayette Township, where he attended rural school and graduated from Kee High School in Lansing in 1960.

He served two years in the U.S. Army, spending most of his time near Munich, Germany. At 19, he earned the name, "The Teenaged Sergeant." Upon his return to Lansing, Tom worked as a construction laborer. He later became a member of Union Local 139, Operating Engineers and was a crane operator for many years.

He married Mary Ellen Keenan at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing, May 21, 1966. They had two children, Jessica L. Mohn Hogendorn and Aaron T. Mohn, both of whom preceded him in death. They resided in Lansing all their married life except for two years spent in Rawlins, WY from 1980 to 1982, where Tom worked in a Union 76 uranium mine in the Red Desert, a desolate area where wild mustangs roamed freely. During this time, the family enjoyed time camping and fishing in the mountains of Snowy Range and Ocean Lake near Riverton, WY with family and friends.

Tom enjoyed time on his beloved Mississippi River. He was a third generation commercial fisherman, fishing weekends even when he worked construction jobs away from home. He worked for years for J.F. Brennan Construction of La Crosse, WI and later for Lunda Construction before returning to commercial fishing full-time.

He worked closely with his brother Ralph and family who operate Mohn Fish Market near Harpers Ferry, selling his fish to the market. He also drove a truck to the Twin Cities weekly for several years delivering fresh fish products to retailers there where he developed friendships with many of the Hmong customers on his route. During his illness, those friends sent him fresh tropical fruits in kind gestures of friendship that he greatly appreciated.

Tom had great respect for Mother Nature and the conservation of her assets. He operated totally within the natural and man-made laws of conservation, returning small fish to the water so they could grow and mature and be harvested later.

He liked to hunt but in later years preferred to help instill the younger hunters with respect for nature and an awareness of firearms safety. Tom often had over 100 pieces of tackle out in the river unmarked by anything but his memory. He seldom lost a net.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing, and a member of American Legion Post No. 722 in Harpers Ferry.

He was preceded in death by his children, Jessica and Aaron; his dad, Thomas H. Mohn; his grandparents; a nephew, Tommy Mohn; sister-in-law, Andrea Keenan; and father-in-law, Walter Keenan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen; his four grandchildren, Nastazia, Makasha and Mikhail Hogendorn of Superior, CO, and Ella Mohn Strong of Lansing; his son-in-law, Dominic Hogendorn; and former daughter-in-law, Hannah Mohn Strong. He is further survived by his brothers, Ralph (Diane) Mohn of Harpers Ferry, Cyril (Patty) Mohn, Leon (Bonnie) Mohn and Roger (Mary Jo) Mohn, all of Lansing; his sisters, Carolyn (Mike) Sanders of Palo, Leonita Newman of Daleville, AL, Maureen Perez of San Antonio, TX, Bernice (Ray Schroeder) Mohn of Norwalk, Genette (Dan) Halverson of Lansing, Marji (Tony) Castellano of Grimes, and Barbara (Scott) Kaiser of Madison, WI.

He is further survived by brothers-in-law, John (Pat) Keenan of Lansing, and Kevin (Maria) Keenan and Tim Keenan of Grand Junction, CO; sisters-in-law, Tina Keenan and Louise Keenan of La Crosse, WI, Denise (River Kaster) Keenan of Milwaukee, WI and Alene Keenan of Fort Lauderdale, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews and his goddaughters, Andrea Schnick of Denver, and Vicki (Dean) Jones of Harpers Ferry; and niece, Gina Van Brocklin, who assisted the family during Tom's final illness.

The death of his children, Aaron in 2001 and Jessica in 2006, changed life for Tom but he continued working as hard as ever, determined to survive his losses. He carried his sadness quietly but later developed cancer and the illness was swift and deadly. He left a legacy of love and respect for nature behind and often watched nature programs with his granddaughter, Ella. He was a good man who set a wonderful example in personal conduct and respect for others. He was a fine husband, father and friend, adored by his grandchildren and respected by all who knew him. He worked hard every day of his life until he was stricken with cancer.

The Waukon Standard, April 22, 2009
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