MOHR, Wendell

MOHR, WILSON, POWELL, VALENTINE, DEATON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/31/2008 at 12:51:47

"The Fairfield Ledger", Tuesday, May 28, 2008, Page 8
(sic - Page is mis-titled and the article appears in the Wednesday, May 28, 2008, paper)

MOHR, Wendell -- Wendell MOHR, 82, of Bentonsport, died of cancer Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Des Moines.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church in Des Moines. A second memorial will be held later in Van Buren County. The body has been donated to Des Moines University.

Family visitation will be from 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa Watercolor Society or the Bentonsport Improvement Association. Memorials may be sent to the family at 532 29th St., Apt. 3, Des Moines 50312.

Mr. MOHR was born Feb. 25, 1926, near Eldridge, the son of John and Martha MOHR. He married Elizabeth WILSON of Stuart in 1959.

Mr. MOHR's father died in a farm accident two years after his birth, and Mr. MOHR was raised by his mother and her brothers. He earned an associated degree at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in 1948 and later studied at the Des Moines Art Center. He worked for 20 years as a graphic designer, mostly in Des Moines. In 1970, he bet his family's future on a full-time career as an artist, and he and his wife moved their children to Bentonsport. The family converted the Vernon schoolhouse into a home, studio, gallery and antiques shop. Mr. MOHR's work was exhibited throughout the country and is represented in hundreds of private and corporate collections.

Much of Mr. MOHR's work drew on his experience in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, with voyages to South America, Europe and East Asia. He also drew on his Army service during the Korean War and on the train trips he took.

Mr. MOHR was active in the community, serving as an officer in the Keosauqua Lions Club and annually creating posters for the Van Buren County Players theater group. He was a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society and was a charter member of the Iowa Watercolor Society.

Survivors include his wife, Julie POWELL of Des Moines; one daughter, Paula MOHR of Des Moines; one son, Thomas of Des Moines; stepchildren, Jody and Greg VALENTINE of Des Moines and Anne DEATON and husband Steve of Ankeny; and two stepgrandchildren.

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"The Fairfield Ledger", Tuesday, June 24, 2008, Page 8

MOHR, Wendell -- Wendell MOHR, 82, of Bentonsport, died of cancer Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Des Moines.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Keosauqua Congregational Church, with the Rev. Harold Schnedler officiating.

Family visitation will be from 3:30-4 p.m. Saturday at the church. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for refreshments and a viewing of Mr. MOHR's art in the lower level of Keosauqua United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa Watercolor Society or the Bentonsport Improvement Association. Memorials may be brought to the service or mailed to the family at 532 29th St., Apt. 3, Des Moines 50312.

Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua assisted with local arrangements.

A full obituary appeared in the May 28 Fairfield Ledger.

Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.