Alfred Mohs

Alfred "Al" Mohs, 65, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 7, 2015 at Essentia Health - St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. Al was born in his parents' home on February 26, 1950 in Shooks, Minnesota, the son of Norbert "Toby" and Martha Mohs. Al attended high school in Kelliher, Minnesota. While a Math Education major at Bemidji State University, Al began working for Johanneson, Inc. as a stock boy in Super John's Grocery Store. Less than 2 1/2 years later, Al was serving in a management role because he "liked the people contact". Al worked the next eight years with Johanneson, Inc. managing stores in Bemidji, MN; Grafton, ND; Thief River Falls, MN; and Detroit Lakes, MN, until losing his sight in 1979. In April of 1974 he met the love of his life, Bonnie and they were married in June of 1975. They would have 4 children throughout their life together; a baby girl who died at birth, Christopher, Tyler and Jenna. They were able to celebrate their 40th anniversary with many family and friends in June of this year. Shortly after losing his sight, Al volunteered at Trinity Lutheran Church, he served as a liaison for Johannesson, Inc. for community requests of donations, discounts or special orders. In 1982, Al published and distributed the first 412 Lakes Area "Guide to Eating, Entertainment and Hospitality" which grew to a circulation of 6,000 and included over 100 businesses. 1985 Barb Leuben-Medure hired Al on the original team of the Lakes Area Press as an advertising representative. Al thrived in this role and continued employment with DL Newspapers when the Lakes Area Press was acquired in 1990. In 1988 he successfully won a bid for the third district county commission seat in Becker County where he went on to serve 2 terms over the next 8 years. During this time he was incredibly active with the Association of Minnesota Counties and served as Vice Chairman of the state committee on Health and Human Services. Al was very active at Trinity Lutheran Church over the years and served multiple terms on Church Council and also served as Council President for many of those years. Al was also instrumental in establishing the Men's Club and Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Al retired from DL Newspapers in 2005 due to health complications related to a lifelong battle with diabetes. He would spend much of the next 10 years enjoying his gardens, coffee club at Main Street Restaurant, keeping tabs on his three children, woodworking and continuing to be tremendously involved in his community. Throughout his life he was acknowledged for his many efforts within the community including being named one of the 1984 Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans. Al is survived by his wife Bonnie; his children, Christopher Mohs and Jared Wick (New York, New York), Jenna and Danny Raimondi (Falls Church, Virginia), and Tyler Mohs and Mikayla Dahl (Rochester, Minnesota); his siblings, Regina Neu, Cory (Rollie) Schmidt, Sr., Eileen Mohs, Walter (Betty) Mohs, Chuck Mohs, Bernice (Dale) Mershman, Mardelle Mohs, Paula (Jim) Dehn, Wendell (Lyn) Mohs; Bonnie's siblings, Bob (Shari) Nelson and Gail (Paul) Beech; his in-laws, Denny Erpelding, Rosie Mohs, and Char Mohs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert "Toby" and Martha Mohs; Bonnie's Parent's Malcolm and Dorothy "Sis" Nelson; his brothers, Dennis Mohs, Richard "Dick" Mohs; his sister Annella Erpedling, his brothers-in-law, Dave Johnson, Gene Neu; his sister in-law Vivian Mohs, and a daughter who died in infancy.