Joseph Mohr

Joseph John Mohr departed this life on June 22, 2021 at the age of 93. Born September 24, 1927 in Maize, Kansas, the son of Peter and Anna (Strunk) Mohr, he was the fourth of eighteen children, six girls and twelve boys, who were active members of St. Mark’s Catholic Church. June (Anderson) Mohr, his beloved wife of 43 years, preceded him in death in 2010. His survivors include his devoted family, the nine children he loved as his own and their spouses: Lee and Pat Howard, Linda and Myron Appel, Cindy Kessler, and Theresa Howard, all of Pagosa Springs, CO; Paula Demopoulos of Cripple Creek, CO; Mark Howard of Denver, CO; Chris and Rhonda Howard of Amarillo TX; Robert and Melinda Howard of McKinney, TX; Mary and John Van Handel of Espinho, Portugal; and his son, Joe Mohr, and his wife Amy of Munich, Germany. He also leaves special memories with his sixteen grandchildren—Greg and Brenda Appel; Rachael Howard and Mary Wikswo; Anna, James, and Maria Demopoulos; Richard and Cheryl Mills; Katherine, Karen, and Andrew Howard; Zachariah Howard; Sarah Huck; Elizabeth and Emily Mohr. His cherished family includes three great-grandchildren: Madeleine Thomsen, Theodore Stochel, and Dalyla Marie Howard. He will be dearly missed by his surviving siblings, Catherine (Denise), Nick, Josephine, John, Tony, Frank, Bart, Theresa, Greg, and Margo, and his many nieces and nephews. His parents, Peter and Anna Mohr, and siblings Mike, Marie, William, Clarence, Ann, Peter, and Al preceded him in death.

He shared fond memories of his times with his family on the 240-acre family farm in Kansas, including riding to school with two older brothers and an older sister in a horse and buggy, singing in the choir at St. Mark’s, fishing, hunting, and trapping, and playing baseball. He lived an active, devout, and well-rounded life. In 1949, he left for Ossining, New York, where he become a Maryknoll Brother, and then studied at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he became a Monk in the order of St. Benedict. He graduated in May 1953 from St. Benedict’s Abbey and University with a degree in History and coursework in Psychology. In 1955, he began the studies that led to his ordination in the Priesthood in 1958. He served as a priest for five years in Montebello, Los Angeles, California and then in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1965.

At this time, he made a transition and found a new calling in his devotion to June Elizabeth, his best friend and companion, whom he married on July 5, 1967, bringing nine loving children -- Lee, Linda, Cindy, Paula, Theresa, Mark, Chris, Robert, and Mary, into his life. June then gave birth to their son, Joe.  Their family lived in Shattuck, OK from 1967-79, where he worked as a dedicated teacher and earned his Master’s degree at Weatherford Southwestern State University in 1972. He and June were devoted to their family, and together, they created lifelong memories, including summer vacations at Eleven Mile Canyon, Colorado; Yellowstone National Park; Red River, New Mexico, where they enjoyed the wildlife, camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and campfires. In 1979, the family moved to Woodward, Oklahoma, in a home with fruit trees, grapevines, chickens, and wild animals, which he called the Mohr Wald. When their children were grown, he and June travelled the country, visiting family and the National Parks and National Seashore on Cape Cod, along with campgrounds in Montana and Texas. Later in life, they lived in Amariillo, TX, and Oklahoma City, OK. After June’s passing, he lived with his daughter Cindy Kessler in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, which he often referred to as Colorado Paradise. When he was in his 80s, he visited Germany several times to see his son, Joe, Amy, and his grandchildren, a cultural connection deeply felt as his grandfather, Michael Mohr, had emigrated to Kansas from Germany in 1892 and he grew up speaking German as a child.

His life was one of selflessness and loving service, as a father and grandfather, as a former priest, and in his chosen profession as a teacher. With his thoughtful, peaceful presence and kindness, he led by quiet example and inspired everyone who knew him. He enjoyed good times—4th of July picnics and family reunions, camping, fishing, and recounting family stories. With his knowledge of people from all walks of life, and a focus on morality and humanity, he drew on his vast experience to respond to any situation with a story or anecdote that often contained a life lesson. His was a life well lived.

His loving family will hold him in their hearts as they follow in his footsteps. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon, Oklahoma on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.