In 1916 Irving Wagner opened a new business on Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids, called Wagner Funeral Home and Furniture Store. In 1929 he purchased property less than a block away on the corner of Warren and Elm where he built his new funeral home. At that time, this facility was the largest building between Grand Rapids and Traverse City that was built specifically to be a funeral home. Following Mr. Wagner's death in 1945, Harry G. Rogers purchased the business from Mrs. Wagner. Mr. Rogers served the Big Rapids area for many years as funeral director and ambulance service. In 1972 Ronald Mohnke moved to Big Rapids to become Harry's partner. Ron worked in funeral service in Lansing, Flint and Dearborn. Upon Mr. Roger's retirement in 1976, Ron took over as the sole owner of the Rogers-Mohnke Funeral Home. In 1984 Ron's son Mike joined his father in the family business. In 1996, Mike bought the business from his father but Ron remained active in the business he loved until his death in November 2010. Today, funeral directors at the Mohnke Funeral Home are Mike Mohnke and Jack Frizzell. Both Mike and Jack are graduates of Big Rapids High School, Ferris State University and The Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science. Together, they bring nearly 70 years of experience assisting families in their time need.