John Knappen "Mogie" Mogensen, 81, died at home of Lou Gehrig's (ALS) disease, on Aug. 27, 2007, with his wife and family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Mogensen and Olga Knappen Mogensen; and his two older brothers, Orville and Martin.

He is survived by Betty, his devoted wife of 58 years; and their three children, Linda Mogensen, John S. Mogensen (Lisa Aspenson), and Deborah (Dennis) Kaehler; and five grandchildren, Chad Bernard, Carolynne Bernard, Michelle Mogensen, Brent Kaehler and Melinda Kaehler. He is also survived by one brother, Raymond; and by many loving nieces and nephews and their families.

John was born May 11, 1926, in Eau Claire. He grew up in Chetek, where he made lifelong friends. After high school, he moved to Detroit, Mich., with his brother Marty in search of work, before being drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1944. He served in the Tank Corps in Germany during the final year of World War II and during the early occupation, and forever remembered the young men who lost their lives in the war. John was honorably discharged on June 26, 1946, at Fort McCoy.

Returning home, he moved to Eau Claire, where his father was working at the Hotel Eau Claire and his mother was a waitress downtown. He took a job at Gillette Rubber Company (later known as Uniroyal) on July 18, 1946, and soon met and courted Betty. Years later, speaking of that time, he said she was "the prettiest woman I ever saw-and very nice too." They married on Nov. 12, 1949, and lived all of their life together in Eau Claire. They raised their children on East Grand Avenue, a short walk from the rubber plant.

Always committed to bettering the lives of working people, John served as a union steward during his 40-year career, and proudly supported labor causes in his retirement. Also in "retirement," he worked for his son, John, on various development projects and enjoyed visiting with customers at Mogie's, the Water Street pub that he and his son owned. Always kind and generous, he delighted in his grandchildren and took a special interest in his late brother Martin's children and their families. For more than 40 years, Jack, Betty and children enjoyed spending time at the lake in Chetek.

A celebration of this fine man's life was held Saturday, Sept. 1, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, with Pastor Carlton Kangas officiating. Burial was held Sunday, Sept. 2, in the Mogensen family plot at Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek.

The family asks that memorials be directed to St. Joseph's Home Hospice, 2661 County Hwy I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, in gratitude for their loving care.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.

John Mogensen (1926)