Phyllis Mohr

Phyllis Ann (Petersen) Mohr was born January 11, 1939 at the home of her parents, Merten and Mattie (Ellefson) Petersen, in Rose Dell Township of Rock County, Minnesota. Phyllis was the first grandchild of both sets of grandparents, perhaps a spoiled little darling. She was baptized as a baby in the winter of 1939. Her sponsors were Uncle John Petersen and Aunt Ruby Ellefson. She was confirmed in May 1951. Phyllis was her mother’s helper, watching the younger children as they came along. She helped with cleaning, canning, cooking, dishes, ironing, gathering eggs, playing with the little ones, and many other everyday things. Phyllis attended Country School District 36 S.E., located about one mile from her home. She walked it many times. She furthered her education at Jasper High School in Jasper, Minnesota, attending grades eighth through junior year. She was active in choir and speech. Phyllis met her husband-to-be, Robert Mohr, at a dance at the Gem Hall in Hardwick, Minnesota. The courtship was dancing Saturday nights and movies Sunday nights at the Palace Theater in Luverne, Minnesota. Phyllis was united in marriage to Robert Mohr on June 13, 1956. To this union, three children were born. Phyllis was a stay-at-home mother while her children were small and Robert drove truck. When the children were older, Phyllis did different jobs. When the family moved into Hardwick in 1970, Phyllis began driving school bus for Hardwick and Luverne. She was very proud to have been able to do this for 42 years. In 1990, Phyllis went to alternative school and achieved her Jasper diploma in the Spring of 1991, the last year the Jasper school was open. She was proud to have accomplished this milestone. Phyllis accepted her diploma on the day of her and Bob’s 35th wedding anniversary. Bob preceded her in death in October 2007. Sadly, their son, Jamie, died in January 2020 at the age of 59. On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Phyllis died peacefully surrounded by family at the Good Samaritan-Mary Jane Brown nursing home in Luverne at the age of 86 years, 2 months, and 25 days.

Phyllis, along with her parents, were life-long members of the United Methodist Church. She was very involved as a Sunday school teacher, was in the choir as a teen, attended circle, helped in the kitchen for many functions, and served on different boards and committees. Phyllis loved sewing, crocheting, quilting, reading, puzzles, crosswords, going out to eat, and talking with friends at coffee time.

Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Valerie (Clayton) Klumper of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Felicia (Jack) Hanson of Luverne; daughter-in-law, Theresa Mohr of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; eight grandchildren, Dena (Mike) Berghorst, Michael Klumper, Matthew (Megan) Klumper, Tessa (Nate) Shuler, Jacob Button, Andrew Hanson, Anissa (David) Vis, and Ashley (Josh) Christensen; six great-grandchildren, Paityn Berghorst, Cameron Berghorst, Reegan Gabrielson, Ronan Christensen, Dylan Klumper, and Katrina Klumper; siblings, Dalma Bucher, Eugene (Connie) Petersen, Marilynn (Harry) Flanagan, Marcia (LeRoy) Petersen, Allene (Doug) Flora, and Arden (Bonnie) Petersen; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Mohr; son, Jamie Mohr; parents, Merten and Mattie Petersen; brother, Raymond (Mary) Petersen; mother-in-law, Marie Mohr, brother-in-law, Don Bucher; nephew, Roman Flora; grandparents, John and Della Ellefson, and George and Suzie Petersen; and all her aunts and uncles.