Kenneth Mohr

It is said that everything on the earth has a purpose, and every person a mission. So it was with Ken Mohr, a man who lived his life following his own road, as his own man. Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he taught us to be true to ourselves, just as he always was. Kens story began on a warm summer day in 1939, in the little town of Bauer, Michigan. Those were anxious times in this country, which watched as the world went to war yet again, and was still getting back on its feet following the terrible times of the Great Depression. On June 25, 1939, Abram and Leile (Frank) Mohr found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Kenneth Abe. Ken joined his big sister Beverly on the familys dairy farm in Bauer, where his dad tended to the cattle, and his hardworking mother cared for the home and family, in addition to working at the General Motors plant in Grand Rapids. When Ken was a little boy, the family sold the dairy farm to a relative, and moved to nearby Hudsonville. Ken attended a little one-room school there, before heading off to Hudsonville High School. Ken was a hardworking young man, and worked at the gas station his dad managed after school. Eventually he saved up enough to pay his parents back for the 1948 Chevy they bought him, his first car. Ken was also a very talented athlete, and had a lifelong love (and gift) for baseball. He was a star on the Eagles varsity squad, and would later play on several semi-pro teams and was even scouted to play in the Major Leagues, too. Ken found more than baseball stardom and an education at Hudsonville, however. He also met a pretty young classmate named Judy Driesenga, and they began dating. After he graduated from Hudsonville, Ken married Judy. He had also been active in the ROTC program in high school, and to provide for his new bride, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. He went to basic training, and served during weekends for several years. Ken found full-time work at a heating and cooling company, working long hours in difficult conditions to provide for his soon-to-be growing family. Ken and Judy had two wonderful kids, first their daughter Rhonda in 1959, and their son Scott in 1965. Ken wanted a better career than what the heating and cooling had to offer, and attended Ferris State University for two years to become a draftsman, and mechanical engineer. After graduating, Ken worked a few different jobs, and even thought about becoming a police officer, going through the State Police training. He did work part-time as a police officer during the late 1960s, but eventually found his calling as an engineer. Ken became an Engineer at Challenge Machine, where he worked for the next 26 years, helping design parts for the Tomahawk cruise missile and even equipment for the Space Shuttle. Ken traveled around the country quite often, to do maintenance and repair on things he and his company designed. While his professional life began to bloom, Kens personal life faced some challenges. His marriage to Judy ended in 1972, though he remained a very active and involved father, even coaching Scotts little league teams. Ken wouldnt remain alone forever, however. He had a couple more marriages over the years, yet neither worked out. One day Ken met a beautiful woman named RoAnn Beebe, who was waitressing at Welcome Travelers, near Kens West Olive home on Winans. RoAnn knew from the moment she saw him, that one day she would marry that man. The two began dating in March of 1991, and before long they had fallen in love and began living together, along with RoAnns two teenage kids. Ken had finally found his soulmate, and embraced her family and her Native American background, as well. Ken became very interest in Native American culture, attending many events and activities with his wife, and developed a special bond with the some Native Americans. Ken wanted to help the Native American communities, as well. He was a longtime member of the North Blendon Reformed Church, and volunteered for mission work for Re-Member. He traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where he helped build bunk beds and design ramps and porches. He was invited to the hallowed Sun Dance religious ceremony there, and also to the Battle of Little Big Horn Ride. Ken loved his time in South Dakota, being the avid outdoorsman he was. He loved to hunt, everything from pheasant in Michigan, to caribou and elk in Colorado and Montana. He raised hunting dogs (Lucky was always his favorite), and was an avid trap shooter, too, even teaching the Junior Trap Shooters League. Most of all, Ken loved his family, and was especially proud of his grandkids. He developed a special bond with his granddaughter Gracie, who even came to live with them for a time, as well. Ken and RoAnn shared a beautiful relationship, and eventually, marriage. She asked him to marry her on Sadie Hawkins Day, February 29, 2004, and the two were married on October 5, 2005, putting an official stamp on their great love. Sadly, in 2006, Ken was diagnosed with cancer, developed from his days working around asbestos with the heating and cooling company. Ken was determined to beat the disease, and did the chemo and fought it hard. Through it all, Ken kept his trademark sense of humor, the quick wit with the comeback for everything. Eventually the disease began to worsen, as Kens health continued to decline. Despite bravely battling the disease, Ken lost his battle on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the age of 68. Ken was a man who lived his life following his own road, as his own man. Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he taught us to be true to ourselves, just as he always was. He will be greatly missed. Ken is survived by his wife, RoAnn; 2 sons, Robert (Michelle) Mohr of Hudsonville & Joshua (Laura) Bochenek of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Rhonda (Jack) Glass of West Olive & Hilery (Jason) Murphy of Spring Lake; grandchildren, Lindsey, Jason, Josh, Chad, Brandon, Stephanie, Josh, Aaron, Darien, Drew, Grace, Cameron great grandchildren, Logan & Hailey; sister, Beverly (James) Brandt of Hudsonville; special brother, Jerome HighHorse; in-laws, Raymond & Patricia Beebe of Grand Haven & former wife, Judy Mohr of Allendale. Services are scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008, 1:00 PM at North Blendon Reformed Church with Rev. Nate Meldrim officiating. Interment at Allendale Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Grand Haven, North Blendon Reformed Church, "RE-MEMBER". Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo, or to sign the online guest book.