Robert “Bob” A. Mohl, 93, of West Point, NE passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Care Center in Norfolk, NE. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, with Reverend Nathan Henschen officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft. Memorials are suggested to the Bancroft Fire and Rescue or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.
Robert Adolph Mohl was born to Swiss immigrant parents Ernst and Louise (Zwygart) Mohl on the family farm west of Bancroft, Nebraska on July 10, 1929. He passed away peacefully April 23, 2023 in Norfolk, NE at the age of 93. The youngest of seven children-brothers Alfred, Fritz and Elmer and sisters Laura, Ella and Florence –Bobby grew up on the farm, helping his brother and mother with the family farm after his father’s untimely passing when he was just 9 years old.
He graduated from Bancroft High School in 1947, where he played football and basketball and met his future wife. Robert married Gladys Ruth Leitow on October 8, 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church. They worked together on their family farm for over 50 years until they retired in 2002. Their shared devotion, support, and joy in each other over the 72 years of their marriage has been an inspiration to their family and, undoubtedly, many others. Together they raised four children-Terry, Marsha, Cynthia and Annette, who have raised nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Robert proudly served his country and community. He was drafted to serve during the Korean War and while initially assigned to an infantry unit that would fight in Korea, he considered it one of the great blessings of his life that he was randomly selected from his unit to become a Military Policeman and serve two years in Sendai, Japan. He was instrumental in forming the first rural water district in the Bancroft area and served on the rural fire board, school board and as member of the board at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, where he was a lifelong and faithful member. He loved farming and even after retirement could be found helping family and friends as long as he was able. Upon retirement, Bob and Gladys moved to West Point, NE and resided there until recent hospitalizations required a move to be closer to family support in Norfolk. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed square dancing, shooting pool and socializing at the West Point Senior Center, watching Nebraska sports, working crossword puzzles and helping quilt with Gladys.
Above all else, Robert loved his family, spending time and telling stories about and to his family. As his parents’ last surviving child, he greatly missed his parents and siblings, and there was undoubtedly a raucous, happy, and loud laughter-filled Mohl reunion on April 23rd. His children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and community will continue to celebrate and remember him in the same way.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys; son Terry & Bonnie Mohl, Hugoton, KS; daughters, Marsha & Chris Silvey, Lincoln, NE; Cyndy & Jack Mahler, Norfolk, NE; Annette & Fred Grizzard, Norfolk, NE. Grandchildren Linda Mohl & Jerome Wallace, Bothell, WA; Greg & Michelle Mohl, Tucson, AZ; Andy Mohl & Jaime Charles, Wiesbaden, Germany; Amanda Mohl, Tuscon, AZ; Chad & Lori Crabtree, Shallotte, NC; Eric Silvey, Lincoln, NE; Alex Silvey, Lincoln, NE; Michelle Mahler & Brandon Cummins, Bellevue, NE; Angie & Terence Green, Ft. Worth, TX. Great grandchildren Sonora, Camryn, Gavin, Ian, Landry, Ella, Brady, Trevor, Alyssa, Hunter, Nick, Carter, Graci, Chase, Camden, Grayson, Lylah & Xander.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters; father and mother-in-law, Hans and Lillie Leitow; and brother-in-law, Gordon Leitow.