In Memory of Franklin Mohr
April 20, 1929 - September 08, 2019
Franklin Mohr, of Manning, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at his home in Manning.
Visitation will be from 4 PM to 7:30 PM on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church.
Burial to follow in the Manning Cemetery.
Ohde Funeral Home in Manning is entrusted with arrangements.
Franklin Mohr was called by Uncle Sam to serve not only in
World War II, but also, in the Korean War. In 1945 when Franklin finished his
junior year in high school, young men entering their senior year were given the
opportunity by the government to go into the service for one year and then come
back and finish their senior year. Several of the young men in Frank's class
did this, but Franklin's mother would not sign for him to go. He graduated from
high school the next May and was working for various farmers when he received a
"letter from his friends and neighbors" in other words, he was drafted.
Franklin was inducted into the Army September 6, 1946, at
Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He took a train to his basic training site in
Aberdeen, Maryland. There he was taught to assemble and disassemble a MI rifle
and to fight on the firing line. Every weekend foot locker and barrack
inspections were held along with a full dress parade and uniform marching
inspections. There was a PX on base where the men could buy candy, snacks, and
personal items. After eight weeks of basic training, he was allowed to go home
for a two week furlough before reporting back to an army base in California.
From there Franklin boarded a troop ship for Japan October
15, 1946, and while crossing the Pacific he witnessed severe storms with
"waves so high they looked like mountains." Their boat bobbed around
like a rowboat. "I was sick for seven days," Frank related. As they
traveled to Japan, they did various jobs on the ship to get it ready for inspection when they reached shore.
Reaching Japan, Franklin and four or five others were loaded
on jeeps and taken to Tuatara, Japan. The city was in a state of total
devastation. "It looked like a pile of tin cans," Frank remarked. At
the air base he served in security patrol and there were numerous army vehicles
from jeeps to huge trucks that they guarded. Frank was there for nine months
when the Farm Draft Law was passed, and all men who had served nine months and
were farm workers could go home. Frank left the army with a technical rating of
a T-5, a World War II victory medal, and an honorable discharge June 2, 1947, at Camp Stoneman, California.
He came back to Manning and began working for Wiese and Sons
until the summer of 1951 when he again received "a letter from his friends
and neighbors" to come back to the army. Because he hadn't served in World
War II for a full twelve months, he was inducted into the Army Military Police
for the Korean War. On August 2, 1951, Frank boarded a train for Breckenridge,
Kentucky, where he had a refresher course in basic training. There the men
practiced crawling under machine gun fire, trained again in the use of weapons,
practiced more marching, and again prepared for inspections. After two weeks of
training in Breckenridge, he spent an eight day furlough at home and then
reported to a marine base in Seattle, Washington. From there Frank was sent by
ship to Taejon (now Daejon), Korea. While on the ship
going overseas, the men were given a chance to work voluntarily. Frank
volunteered. He was given a job baking bread and made about a hundred loaves
each night. They used a huge mixer that looked somewhat like a cement mixer.
When he arrived in Korea, he was given a MI with a bayonet on the end and
prepared for hand-to-hand combat. He was with the 77 Deuce MP
Battalion and took a train to Taejon, Korea, where he was stationed for a year.
It is interesting to note that at this time there were three Mohr brothers serving in the military.
Bob was with the army in Germany, Russ was in the Pacific, and Frank was in Korea.
In Taejon Frank rode guard on supply trains to and from the
front lines. The trains were equipped with a machine gun on the front and one
on the back. Two GIs and eight Korean police were on guard on each train. As he
crossed the country, he noted that the country of Korea was a land of mountains
and rice paddies. The Koreans' diet consisted mainly of rice and fish heads.
After a year in Taejon, he was sent to Kunsan, Korea,
and again rode guard on supply trains going from there to the front lines at
Yang Dong Po. Later he was put in charge of this detachment and made corporal.
The ironic thing about these trains, Frank said, was that the guards rode in
open gondolas in the winter where they froze while in the summer they were
given a coach car with a top on it to ride in the heat.
Corporal Mohr was honorably discharged from Camp Carson,
Colorado, July 2, 1953, after twenty months and sixteen days in Korea. He
received a Korean Service Medal, W-2 Bronze Service Stars, a United Nations
Service Medal, and a ROK Presidential Citation. Frank commented: "It was an honor to serve my country."
After his discharge Franklin came home to Manning and worked
for Wiese and Sons for another year. In 1954 he married Arlene Mohns and
started farming northwest of Manning. There Frank and Arlene raised their nine
children. Franklin has participated in many clubs and associations over the
years. He was an active member of the Mid-American Dairy Association. He served
on the board and served time as president of the Crawford County Pork
Producers. He was a member of the Manning Easy Riders and served a term as
president of that club. He and his family have all been involved in 4-H, and
Frank served on the County 4-H Extension Board for over twenty years. He is a
member of Zion Lutheran Church and has held various offices as a member of that congregation.
Arlene Mohns
From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book
Franklin and Arlene Mohr, who were married on October 3, 1954, recently
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They lived on a farm near
Manning where they were dairy and grain farmers. They have nine children:
Steven, Deborah, Michael (deceased), Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Mary
Ann, and Michelle. Their 28 grandchildren are: Katie, Tyrel, Kirk, Ryan, Beth,
Kate, Michael, Brandon, Ashley, Amy, Alison, Angela, Nathan, Amanda, Stephanie,
Dane, Jill, Travis, Bryce, Paige, Carrie, Casie, Courtney, Cristyn, Cody, Justin, Taylor, and Layne.
Their 2 great-grandchildren are Kayden and Autumn.
Franklin is a World War II and a Korean War Veteran. Franklin served his Church
as an elder, president of the congregation, Sunday school superintendent,
Christian Education Chairman, president of the district Sunday School Teachers
organization, and also taught bible class for 18 years. Franklin served a
director and president of the Crawford County Pork Producers, president and
announcer for the Manning Easy Riders Saddle Club, Crawford County Farm Bureau
board member, and a district delegate of Mid-America Milk Producers.
He is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Franklin served on the
Carroll County 4-H Council for over thirty years, and is a leader of the
Manning Win-or-Grin 4-H Club. He served as Horse and Dairy Superintendent at the Carroll County Fair.
Arlene was a Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher, choir
member, an Evening Circle historian, Christian growth chairman, and president.
Arlene served as Crawford County Porkettes president
and secretary, and received the Crawford County Bell Ringer Award for pork
promotions and activities. She was secretary for the saddle club. She was a
leader of the Manning 4-H Cadets and is a leader of the Manning Win-or-Grin 4-H
Club (totaling over 30 years), and a lifetime and charter member of the VFW
Auxiliary. In 1999, Arlene graduated with honors from the Des Moines Area
Community College in Carroll, Iowa with an AAS degree plus 8 certificates.
Their children were very involved in LYF, all sports, vocal music, band, FFA,
4-H clubs and saddle club. They exhibited at 4-H and FFA projects at Iowa State
Fair, AK-SAR-BEN, Kansas City Royal and Iowa county fairs including Carroll,
Crawford, Audubon and Clay. They showed beef and dairy cattle, horses and
ponies, sheep, hogs, rabbits, goats, and chickens. They won many trophies and purple and blue ribbons.
Steven showed the Reserve Grand Champion Steer at the Carroll County Fair.
Deborah showed the Champion Dairy Steer at Carroll and Crawford County Fairs
and was the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Queen and the District VII dairy princess.
Michael showed at all the fairs and was chosen to sing in 13 countries in
Europe with a group singing tour for the University of Virginia.
Daniel also showed at all the fairs. He sang in the All State Choir as a freshman.
Rebecca showed the Champion Brown Swiss at the Waterloo show and Ak-Sar-Ben.
She was the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Queen, Iowa Holstein Princess, Homecoming Queen, and the Iowa Dairy Princess.
Jonathan showed the Grand Champion breeding heifer at the Carroll County Fair.
He was a member of the winning group judging contest and had the highest individual scores.
Elizabeth showed the Grand Champion Shorthorn steer at the Iowa State Fair. She
was a member of the National Honor Society in high school, and was on the
"Who's Who" list of high school students twice, and also on the Who's
Who list of college students. She graduated from AIB College of Business with
honors, and received a Bachelor's Degree cum-laude from Graceland College in
2003. She went on a house building Mission trip to Mexico.
Mary Ann represented Manning at the State Spelling Bee two times. She was an
Iowa Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society, and also on the Who's
Who list of high school students. She attended Dana College and graduated from
Des Moines Area Community College with honors. She also went on a house building trip to Mexico.
Michelle was a member of the swing choir, band, and speech. She showed cattle
at the Iowa State Fair and participated in 4-H activities there. She showed the Reserve Champion catch-a-calf at Ak-Sar-Ben.
Mike Mohr showing for Steve
MICHAEL DEAN MOHR
Funeral services for Michael Dean Mohr were held Friday, March 21, 1986 at 2:00
p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Pastor Paul Krumm and Pastor Merle
Lebahn of Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, and Pastor Dennis Angland, St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Emmetsburg, officiated the service. Music was provided by the Zion
Lutheran Quartet with Paula Weiss as organist. Interment was in Manning City
Cemetery with Ralph Weets, Ron Surber, Ross Rusch, Dave Nelson, Jay Mohr, and Rick Mohr serving as
casketbearers. Honorary casketbearers were Randy Mohr, Robin Mohr, Mark Mohr,
Keith Fahey, Karl Fahey, Ethan Mohns, Jim Mohr, Jeff Mohr, Scott Mohr, and John
Holtz. Ohde Funeral Home in Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Michael, son of Franklin and Arlene (Mohns) Mohr, was born August 19, 1959, at
Carroll, Iowa. Michael lived on a farm with his parents and was very active and
participated in many activities while in school. As a member of the Manning Win
or Grin 4-H Club he raised and showed horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs at the
county and state fair as well as Ak-Sar-Ben. In high school he was manager of
the football team. Music activities played a large part in Michael's life. He
participated in both band and vocal music activities receiving I's in solo,
small and large groups at State Music Contest. During his sophomore year in
high school he was selected as the one vocalist from Iowa to participate in the
All Student Group USA which toured 11 foreign countries and performed a concert
for Queen Elizabeth. Michael participated two years at State 4-H Conference as
a soloist, sang in the 4-H Choir at State Fair, and sang in the State FFA Choir
two years. He also sang many solos throughout the year in church. Michael was
graduated from Manning High School in 1978. After graduation Michael worked at
MJM Enterprises in Manning. He then served as assistant manager of Anthony's
Department Stores in Denison, Estherville, and Emmetsburg. At the time of his
death, Michael was living in Emmetsburg where he belonged to the St. Paul
Lutheran Church. He was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Zion Lutheran
Church at Manning. His marriage to Vivian McClatchey
took place on July 30, 1983. Michael died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning,
March 18, 1986, at Manning, Iowa, at the age of 26 years, 6 months, and 27 days.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Herman Mohns, and George Mohr.
Michael is survived by two children, Stephanie and Dane, and their mother,
Vivian, of Emmetsburg; by his parents, Franklin and Arlene Mohr, of Westside;
by the following brothers and sisters: Steven and his wife, Kathy, and their
children, Katie and Tyrel, of Gordon, Nebraska; Deborah and her husband, Wane
Towery, and their son, Brandon, of Manning; Daniel and his
wife, Sharon, and their children, Jill and Travis, of Manning; Rebecca Mohr, of
Ames; and Jonathon, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and Michelle, all at home in Westside;
by his grandmothers, Bernice Mohns, of Manning, and Christina Mohr, of Ukiah,
California; and by the following aunts and uncles: Charles and Tracey Mohns, of
Des Moines; Robert and Myra Mohr, of Oakland, Iowa; Russell and Joan Mohr, of
Manning; Louise and Terrance Mischler, of Sacramento,
California; Allen and Lola Mohr, of Cochrane, Wisconsin; and Sandra and John
Holtz, of Ukiah, California; and by great-aunts and uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Becky Mohr
April 18, 1943 confirmation
Back - Ruth Musfeldt
Middle: LeRoy Kienast, Franklin Mohr, Leo Rostermundt, Maynard Kienast
Front: Patricia Siem, Pastor Ansorge, Donna Fae Mohr.
From the 1981 Manning Centennial history book
George Mohr, son of Chris and Marie Mohr, was born August 5,
1900. Christina (Sonksen) Mohr was the daughter of Jens and Dora Sonksen. She was
born November 17, 1905. They were both raised and educated in the Manning
vicinity. February 17, 1926, they were married and moved to a farm in Lincoln
Township where they lived 35 years until they retired to their home in Manning
in 1963. They bought the former Les Rowedder home. God blessed them with six
children: Franklin, Robert, Russell, Louise, Allen, and Sandra. They are all members of Zion Lutheran Church.
Franklin married Arlene Mohns October 3, 1954. They have nine children: Steven,
Deborah, Michael, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Michelle.
The family farms north of Manning.
Robert married Myra Schroeder August 16, 1953. They have six children: Randy,
Ricky, Monica, Mark, Robin and Marcy. Randy married April on August 24, 1974,
and Ricky married Judy Wenkleman May 26, 1979. They live at Oakland.
Russell married Joan Rowedder February 20, 1955. Their children are James, Jay,
Jeffery and Rhonda. Jim married Cherri Ramsey August 12, 1977 and they have a
son Ryan born July 26, 1978; Jeff married Mary Esdohr May 26, 1978, and they have a daughter Julie born September 27, 1978.
Louise and Terry Mishler married December 29, 1978.
They have two adopted sons, Keith and Karl. They live in Citrus Heights, California.
Allen and Lola Borkowski were married April 29, 1962, and have four children:
Scott, Vaia, Lisa, and Holly. They live at Cockrave, Wisconsin.
Sandra and John Holtz married April 1, 1967. They have four children, two
adopted. They are Christine, Johnny, Michelle and Jennifer. The family lives at Ukiah, California.
Christine (Sonksen) Mohr
George Mohr 310 Ann Street
George Mohr 1971 Children's Day
George Mohr (at the reins) 1951 Homecoming
George Mohr with his grandson, Jim Mohr
George Mohr 1973 Children's Day
Becky Mohr MHS 1982
Jon Mohr MHS 1988
Allen Mohr MHS 1956
Sandra Mohr MHS 1961
Russell Mohr
Myra (Schroeder) & Robert Mohr
Robert with his children
Marcella & Kenneth Mohr
Ken was wounded on Iwo Jima
Received a Purple Heart
He saw the famous raising of the US flag
Chrissie Mohr
Louise Mohr MHS 1952
Louise (Mohr) Mishler
Franklin Mohr
Country Schools
Page 141 of the Manning Schools history book
Allen Mohr
Louise Mohr
Back: Louise Mohr, Marjorie Drees
Third: William Bruhn, Lyle Drees, Merlin Drees, Melvin Thielen, Donald Dammann, Allen Mohr
Second: Janice Drees, Gary Handlos, Raymond Thielen, Allen Overgaard?
Front: Marjorie Thielen, Linda Handlos
North wall of Lincoln No. 2 circa 1948
1945 Back: Louise Bruhn, Herbert Dammann, Russell Mohr,
Dennis Drees, Marjorie Drees
Middle: Louise Mohr, Donald Dammann
Front: Raymond Thielen, Lyle Drees, Merlin Drees, William Bruhn, Melvin Thielen, Allen Mohr
Page 88 of the Manning Schools history book
Taken from the 1981 Manning Centennial history book
Carl Mohns was born on the island of Fehmarn in
Schleswig Holstein, Germany. He was one of eight children, but at the age of
fifteen he came to America by himself. He worked in the Clinton area as a farm
helper and there he met and married Wilhelmina Dunzglock.
They migrated to the vicinity of Manning. They lived on a farm west of
Aspinwall before purchasing their own farm northeast of Manning. They had two
sons, William and Herman. Mrs. Mohns passed away in 1930, Carl in 1957, and William in 1963.
Herman married Bernice Martens February 20, 1935, and they had two children,
Arlene and Charles. They continued to farm on the home place until they retired
to their home in Manning. Charles married Tracy Howe December 4, 1971. They live in Des Moines.
Arlene was married to Franklin Mohr, son of George and Christina Sonksen Mohr,
October 3, 1954. They were blessed with nine children: Steven, Deborah,
Michael, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Michelle. They are
all members of the Zion Lutheran Church where Frank has served as Sunday
School and Bible School teacher for 20 years. Arlene has
been leader of the Manning 4-H Cadets for six years and the entire family is
active in every phase of 4-H work. Deborah was Ak-Sar-Ben queen.
The Mohrs had a tragic fire in 1979 when their home and all their personal
possessions were lost. A new home was built on the same farm place where they
live. They are the fourth generation to live on this Mohns-Mohr farm.
Carl Mohns farm
Herman Mohns on the binder
Arlene Mohns - MHS 1954
Charles Mohns - MHS 1966
Taken from the 1981 Manning Centennial history book
Chris Mohr was born March 3, 1868 in Schleswig Holstein, Germany. Marie Nuppnau
was born June 20, 1880, also at Schleswig Holstein. They were married January
26, 1898 at Manning. They were farmers, living most of their married life south of Manning.
Their nine children were: Elsie, Mrs. Pete Siem, born February 24, 1898. She is
deceased; George of Manning, born August 5, 1900; Emil , deceased, born May 17,
1902; Jack, born February 12, 1904; Leona, Mrs. Herman Asmus, Middletown, born
September 25, 1905; Verna, Mrs. Eddie Wegner, Manning, born February 2, 1908;
Marcella, Mrs. Fred Asmus, Columbus Junction, born March 26, 1911; Chris,
Council Bluffs, born October 20, 1913; and Kenneth, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
born March 4, 1920. Mr. Mohr passed away December 7, 1943 at the age of 75 and
Mrs. Mohr passed away December 25, 1958 at the age of 78.
Frederick & Marie (Kruse) Mohr with children: George, Pete, John, Maggie, Chris
Great-grandparents of Frank Mohr
Chris & Marie (Nuppnau) Mohr January 26, 1898
Grandparents of Frank Mohr
Children of Chris & Marie Mohr
Back: Elsie Siem, George, Emil
Front: Verna Wegner, Leona Asmus, John "Jack"
Herman & Leona (Mohr) Asmus
Back: George, Emil, John "Jack," Elsie
Middle: Verna, Christian, Sr., Kenneth, Marie, Leona
Front: Marcella, Christian, Jr.
9th Grade picture of the class of 1946
Back: Marian Hoffman, Betty Mincy, Jean Blum, Eddie Meggers, Sara Diamond, Ruby Book, Alvan Kuhse, Joanne Grundmeier, Leota Carter,
Marie Sextro, Bill Addison, Ruby Lohmeier, Margaret Hammer, Norma Schrum, Betty Olbertz
Middle: Shirley Coleman, Lucille Genzen, Zona Duff, Norma Dau, Delores Wagner, Franklin Mohr,
Virgene Ruhde, Alvan Jansen, Donna Schacht, Kenneth Pfannkuch, Donna Fae Mohr, Ruth Musfeldt, Madlyn Cramer, Loretta Lerssen, Mildred Lechtenberg
Front: Norman Arp, Mary Jane Dales, Duane Olbertz, Donna Rowedder, Robert Hinners, Ruth Brady Hiatt, Mrs. Ida Beck (sponsor), Patrick Miller, John Keane,
Donna Jean Cramer, Marvin Bogatzke, Donna Belle Joens, Mary Lorraine Jacobsen
Frank - high school information
We are really living at a special point in our history.
A special country, special state, and special community.
One very important aspect for the quality of life we experience today is because of our Veterans.
I was asked by the family to capture the military aspects of Franklin Mohr's funeral service.
I've done this for a number of Veterans and each one is unique...the morning of September 14, 2019, was no exception, with down pours disrupting the rites for the graveside services.
Frank not only served his country during WWII & Korea, he served the Manning community his whole life...just read his obituary and you'll see how much!
Frank's Uncle Ken served during WWII and was wounded at Iwo Jima - he saw the famous flag raising. Frank's brothers, Russ & Robert, and their sister, Louise, also served in the military, so this is
a very patriotic family - like so many other families in Manning's history.
Here are a few snapshots from Frank's funeral service.
Frank's confirmation class (lower left) in the church display
Iowa National Guard presented the flag and played taps
The soldier on the left
told me he has participated in 1500 funeral services.
They teach flag etiquette and respect at school events and for the Boy Scouts.
Flag unfolding & folding & presentation ceremony presented by the Guard.
Flag unfolding
Flag re-folding
Flag re-folding
Flag salute
Flag presentation to the family
Flag presentation to the family
Flag salute to the family
Manning Color Guard & salute
Manning Honor Guard & salute
Iowa National Guard - Taps
Gene Steffes with his large patio umbrella
Another great volunteer of the Manning community!
He doesn't like recognition for his efforts but it needs to be acknowledged.
Manning Honor Guard
Manning Color & Honor Guard
Manning Honor Guard
Gene Steffes with his umbrella
Gene Steffes with his umbrella
Then we have all of the great church volunteers who serve the luncheon.
In case you haven't seen it yet, the tribute to Frank and the Mohr family is farther down below...
To all visitors of my web pages who are Mohr, Sonksen, Fischer, Asmus, etc relatives and descendants - if you have military pictures
and information for any of the Mohrs, any old Manning
family/community pictures, PLEASE e-mail me. I would like to scan your items to include in the Manning Historical digital database.
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