Mona Rohrs of Harrisonville, Missouri (formerly of Bolivar) passed on to heaven on May 21, 2018 at the age of 88. Edith Mona Rose Beeninga was born to Herman and Edith Smith Beeninga in Canistota, South Dakota as the 6th of ten children. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years, Wayne Rohrs, her son, Alden Wayne Rohrs, her parents, Herman and Edith Beeninga, six brothers and two sisters.
At an early age, Mona accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She graduated from Monroe High School at the age of 16. She attended Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School (now University of Northwestern – St. Paul) in Minnesota for one year, the last year Billy Graham was President of the school. She then transferred to Dallas Bible College where she received her Bachelor’s degree and met Wayne Rohrs from western Nebraska. On June 9, 1951, Mona and Wayne were married. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of four children: Rebecca Renee (Becky), Alden Wayne, Alvin Wayne and Allen Randall.
Mona served alongside her husband Wayne in their ministry at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, Yellowstone Boys Ranch in Billings, Montana, and The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Springfield, Missouri. In addition, Mona and Wayne helped establish the group home program in Liberty, Missouri for Clay County. She also worked outside the home at times. Her first job was as a telephone operator and later in life she enjoyed working in telemarketing.
Mona and Wayne retired to Bolivar, Missouri and later Harrisonville, Missouri, where they were able to thoroughly enjoy their grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a child, Mona developed a lifestyle of serving her church, which she continued throughout her life. She was a devoted Chaplin and pastor’s wife and talented pianist who played for more church services, weddings and funerals than anyone could record. She served as the pianist at the Christian Union Church in Liberty and then The Humansville Bible Church, each for several years. She taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school, led Bible studies and found many quiet ways to help the less fortunate and to disciple new Christians.
Mona is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Becky) Rohrs of Ellenton, Florida; sons Alvin Wayne Rohrs and wife Elizabeth of Dunnegan and Allen Randall (Randy) Rohrs of Harrisonville; grandchildren Jeffrey Ladd (Melanie), Genea Stoffer (Travis), Dr. Ben Rohrs, and Jaclyn Rohrs; great grandchildren Joshua Ladd, Sarah Ladd, Gene Wayne Stoffer and Mason Riley Stoffer; sister Jean Petersen of Cerritos, California, sisters in law Phrona Beeninga of Bellevue, Washington, and Donna Beeninga of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Pitts Chapel with Pastor Marion Hunderdosse officiating. Burial will follow in Brighton Cemetery, Brighton. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the local chapter of Gideons International. Online condolences may be left at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.