Wendell Mohr 1926-2008

MOHR, WILSON, POWELL, VALENTINE, DEATON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/3/2008 at 09:57:49

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

Born Feb. 25, 1926, near Eldridge, he was the son of John and Martha Mohr. His father died in a farm accident two years later, and Mohr was raised by his mother and her brothers. In 1959, he married Elizabeth Wilson of Stuart.

Mr. Mohr was a prolific, full-time Iowa artist whose watercolors included cityscapes, seaports, locomotives and factories. He worked for 20 years as a graphic designer, mostly in Des Moines. In 1970, the Mohrs moved their children to Bentonsport and converted the Vernon schoolhouse into a home, studio, gallery and antiques shop.

He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, with voyages to South America, Europe and East Asia. He served in the Army during the Korean War.

He was a 1948 graduate of the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, where he earned an associate's degree. He later studied at the Des Moines Art Center.

He was an officer in the Keosauqua Lions Club and annually created posters for the Van Buren County Players theater group. He was a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society and was a Master Watercolorist in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He was a charter member of the Iowa Watercolor Society. His work was exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the country and in hundreds of private and corporate collections. Moberg Gallery in Des Moines represented him.

Survivors include his wife, Julie Powell of Des Moines; one daughter, Paula Mohr of Des Moines; one son, Thomas Mohr of Des Moines; three stepchildren, Jody and Greg Valentine of Des Moines and Anne Deaton of Ankeny; two stepgrandchildren; and two nephews.

Mr. Mohr's body has been donated to Des Moines University.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church in Des Moines, where the family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. before the service.

A second memorial will be at a later date in Van Buren County. Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua will assist the family with arrangements.

Memorials have been established for the Iowa Watercolor Society and the Bentonsport Improvement Association.