Phyllis Maxine Mohr

Phyllis Maxine Sparky Mohr went home to meet her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 10, 2016, with her daughters, Linda and Karen, by her side while under the care of Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown. Maxine was born on November 1, 1924, to Floyd and Louise Sparks on the Phelleps farm north of Ferguson. Her parents later moved to the Higgins farm, north of Clemons, where she attended Liberty High School. Maxines family then moved to St. Anthony; ever the independent, Phyllis chose to live with the Smith family in order to finish her senior year at Liberty. Basketball was her passion, and she was not going to miss her senior season. During that year, she was selected 1st team Marshall County guard girls basketball and led Liberty to the Class B championship team. If you ever asked her how she was as a ball player, without hesitation, her answer came quick and sure, I was excellent. After graduating in 1941, Maxine attended Mercy School of Nursing in Marshalltown and was a United States Cadet Nurse. She found work at Schick General Hospital of Clinton. While at Clinton, she played semi-professional softball as a catcher for the Clinton River Queens. On May 11, 1946, Phyllis married John Henry Mohr at the Open Bible Church in Marshalltown. They had 6 children: Michael, David (Sandy) of Ferguson, Barbara (Tom) of Ferguson, Joan of Marshalltown, Linda (Rod) Harrison of Moscow, and Karen (Dave) of Ames. Phyllis was a member of The Ferguson Ladies Aide, Ferguson Bible Church Missionary Society and a member of Ferguson Bible Church. She would donate a calf annually from the familys small cow herd to missions. She also supported Campus Crusade for Christ, Samaritans Purse, and many other missionary endeavors over the years. For the past fifteen years she donated a dozen coats every winter to the students of Central Middle School of Waterloo, East Marshall of Le Grand, and West Marshall of State Center. She spent untold hours buying material, cutting and sewing quilts for family and friends. She gave countless baby quilts to nieces, nephews, The Storks Nest and others. In her free time she enjoyed the many Sparks gatherings on Sunday and Tuesday breakfasts at Hy-Vee as well as taking pride and joy in her grandchildren (15) and great-grandchildren (11). Stepping up to the plate to join her four brothers who passed before her: Roger, Floyd, James and Donald. She joins her husband John; son, Michael; daughter, Barbara; and parents Floyd and Louise. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Ferguson Christian Bible Church in Ferguson, Iowa, on Wednesday December 28, 2016. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Memorials can be directed to Ferguson Bible Church or Samaritans Purse. Phyllis Maxine Mohr will be laid to rest on Earth at Timber Creek Cemetery. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com . Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Phyllis and her family. Phone 641-844-1234.