Larry Moehn Leaves Lasting Legacy in Gymnastics Education

Celebrated coach and professor Larry Moehn of Godfrey dies at 87, remembered for his six decades of dedication to Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance Academy.

Apr 1, 2026 3:00 PM Apr 1, 2026 3:23 PM Save

Listen to the story

Moehn, who was born in Alton, built a career in education and athletics that included founding a gymnastics and dance program that expanded from Alton to Godfrey.

Larry Moehn. Moehn was born Feb. 18, 1939, in Alton. He graduated from Marquette High School in 1957, earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in 1961, and a master’s degree from Indiana University in 1963. He dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life as a professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Larry and his wife, Louise Moehn, co-founded Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance Academy at the YMCA in Alton in 1968. Over the following decades, the program expanded and moved from Elm Street in 1972 to Belle Street in Alton in 1982, and later to West Adams Parkway in Godfrey in 1996.

Larry Moehn owned and operated the academy with Louise Moehn for more than 60 years, mentoring and coaching generations of young athletes, including at the elite level, according to the provided information. He also spent numerous years volunteering and promoting the Special Olympics.

“He was in everything we did,” said his daughter, Kristin Bower, of her father. “Literally the whole source of what we did at Midwest Gymnastics.”

The academy is recognized as the oldest private gymnastics club in the St. Louis metropolitan area and the only facility in the Alton/Godfrey region offering USA Gymnastics and USTA tumble teams, according to the provided information.

Larry and Louise Moehn.

Article continues after sponsor message

Bower described Larry as a detailed planner who worked behind the scenes.

“He would come in with pages of lists with every one very detailed,” she said. “He was always the one who noticed, more than any coach, the mistakes.”

Bower said Moehn coached athletes from beginner to elite levels.

“He was a very good coach, and had a very instinctive eye on what we should do next. He was always a step ahead of us, and coached athletes from beginner-level cartwheels to elite-level. He was interested in working with anyone who had a passion for gymnastics,” she said. “He was always there for you.”

She also described his approach as direct. “He would tell you the truth straight out, point blank, you need to work and do this to get to that situation,” Bower said.

Louise Moehn, whom Bower described as a pioneering gymnastics and dance educator and longtime nurse, died Jan. 26, 2026, at age 85. She graduated from Alton High School and DePaul University School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at Saint Anthony’s Hospital while developing the gymnastics program alongside her husband.

Bower said her father remained connected to the gym into last year.

“He (Larry) was in the gym up to last summer, just sitting in a chair, more to say than any of us,” she said.

“When he talked, everyone listened,” Bower said.

One of Larry's last words to Kristin before he died was as follows: "Just know it (the Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance Academy business) will be stronger and better than ever now," Kristin said. "Your mom and I will always be here with you."

Bower said she will always remember her father, Larry, as the best dad he could be, the best husband to her mom, Louise, and the best coach and mentor to all his students and team members.

Prefer RiverBender on Google