Mohr earned an associate degree at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in 1948 and later studied at the Des Moines Art Center. He worked for 20 years as a graphic designer, mostly in Des Moines. In 1970, he bet his family's future on a full-time career as an artist, and the couple moved their children to Bentonsport. The family converted the Vernon schoolhouse into a home, studio, gallery and antiques shop.