In Loving Memory of a Long, Full, Thriving Life

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Jack Lou Mohror who departed this life on August 22, 2025 at the age of 89 from complications of

Parkinson’s disease.

Jack Lou Mohror was born on July 28, 1936 in Arlington, South Dakota, the first and only child of Ruth (Wetterberg) and Louie Henry Mohror. Tragically, Ruth died in

childbirth, but Louie brought the new baby home to the family farm and devoted the rest of his life to Jack. The two of them were an inseparable unit for the next 17 years, working hard on the farm until a chronic illness forced Louie to move into town where he owned and operated a cobbler’s shop. Louie and Jack lived in the back of the shop and grew a big garden—little Jack pulled his wagon around town and sold the produce door-to-door. Louie died during Jack’s senior year. Jack managed to finish the school year, graduate from Arlington High School, and gain admittance to South Dakota State University, realizing the future that he and his Dad had worked so hard to achieve.

After high school graduation, his mother’s brother brought Jack into the Wetterberg family home in Illinois where Jack spent summers during his college years. Jack loved his time at SDSU in Brookings and treasured that institution and his degree for the life they allowed him to build.

He began his teaching career in Illinois but quickly decided to seek adventure and a fresh start in California. Jack taught junior high science, shop, and history, which was his main interest after farming and building. When anyone in the family had a question about the date of an obscure war, the capitol of a remote country, or the name of any current or past member of Congress from any state, they went to Jack, and he always had the correct answer.

Jack settled in Marin County where he married fellow teacher, Marjorie Goulet with whom he travelled and worked for 35 years. They used weekends and school vacations for building projects and developing an almond orchard just north of the Sutter Buttes near Yuba City, California. Jack was a very proud member of the Blue Diamond Growers cooperative, and he ate a handful of almonds every day of his life. When he was ready to stop farming, Jack was extremely delighted to sell the orchard to the Swarz family—his longtime neighbors, friends and farming collaborators—and use the proceeds to fund a scholarship at SDSU for graduates of Arlington High School. His greatest hope was that he could help other young people from Kingsbury County go to Brookings and find themselves on the same path of happiness and prosperity that his education afforded him.

After retiring from teaching, Jack reconnected with his college flame Kay Coffield Pearson. Together they moved to Sheridan, Wyoming to be near Kay’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. They spent the next 25 years dancing, travelling, visiting family and friends around the country and the world, and generally having an incredibly good time. He couldn’t believe his luck when Kay gave him a motorcycle on his 65th birthday and he got to ride all over the Northern Rockies and into Canada. But most of all, Jack was a gym rat—he was devoted to the Sheridan YMCA. In fact, he loved everything about the Sheridan community and Kay, her family, and the life that he was able to live with her.

So many people in Sheridan went above and beyond in helping Jack and Kay with these last few years of dealing with Parkinson’s disease. Jack was able to live at home until the final three months of his life thanks to so much loving effort from Kay, her family and the amazing Milagro Portillo, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Dr. Juli Ackerman, the YMCA, and the entire Devoted to Home staff including caregivers Wendy, Lorena Willson, and Abbi Little, all of whom became family. His final weeks were made so comfortable and full thanks to the competence and kindness of every person at Cascades of Sugarland Ridge, Green House Living, and Sheridan Memorial Hospice.

Jack was predeceased by his mother and father and is survived by his partner Kay and her children Betsy (John Addlesperger) and Mark (Susan Brakeall); grandchildren Caitlin (Erik), Hannah (Will), Annie, Wyatt, and Trace; great-granddaughter Hazel; and cousins Donna Magistad and James (Lynn) Wetterberg. Jack’s ashes will be interred at the Mohror family plot in Arlington, SD, nestled between his parents.

A celebration of life will be scheduled later this year. Jack will be forever in our hearts and memories. Rest in peace, Jack.

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.

‍