Rhoda Rhoads

Rhoda Rhoads, 85, passed away at home in Olathe, KS. Rhoda was born to Rev. John P. and Sarah Tschetter on March 1st, 1932, in her grandfather’s home near Carpenter, SD, and was raised in the Carpenter area along with one sister, Sylvia, and two brothers, Walter and Gerald. She attended one year of high school in Huron where she lived with her Aunt Lydia, then moved with her parents to Lewellen, NE, where she graduated from high school in 1950. She then returned to Huron where she worked for Northwestern Public Service for several years. Rhoda met Vernon Rhoads at a mid-week prayer service at a rural neighbor’s home near Forestburg. They were married on August 24, 1953, in Wessington Springs, SD. Following Vernon’s Army training, the couple spent several months together in Ft. Lee, VA, before he shipped out to Korea, after which Rhoda returned to Huron and her job at NWPS. After Vernon’s return from Korea, the couple settled 14 miles south of Cavour, South Dakota, to farm and raise livestock and their three daughters.

Rhoda was a wonderful homemaker, sewing clothes for the girls and making the most delicious homemade bread, as well as gardening, canning and freezing her produce, and raising her prized chickens. She sold eggs for many years and supplied freshly dressed chickens to a restaurant in Mitchell. She caught, butchered and fried her first chicken at the age of 8 while her parents were away in town. She and her little brother, Gerald, devoured the whole thing! When her folks came home, she said “We were hungry!”

In 1975, Vernon, Rhoda and the girls moved to Olathe, KS, where he worked in the physical plant at MNU until his retirement. Rhoda was thrilled to provide day care for her two grandchildren, Derek and Sharla, whom she dearly loved, and had many delightful stories to tell about their childhood experiences.

Rhoda gave her heart to the Lord at a tender young age and served Him faithfully throughout her whole life. She was devoted to her family, whom she dearly loved. Her family enjoyed her crispy fried chicken and old-fashioned homemade ice cream. She was a wonderful hostess and graciously prepared dinners in her home for many friends, relatives, college students and visiting missionaries. She enjoyed providing delicious homemade apple and cherry pies for funeral dinners at the church.

Rhoda was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, whom she cared for many years, her parents, two sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by three daughters, Althea, Arleta (Dave), and Gloria (Marc); two wonderful grandchildren, Derek (Kara) and Sharla (Mark); five beautiful great-grandchildren, Lillian, Eleanor, Mikayla, Evelyn and Richard; a brother-in-law, Rev. John Baird; a sister-in-law, Maris Tschetter; a sister-in-law, Violet Rhoads; a brother/sister-in-law, Vince and Verda Rhoads, and many treasured nieces and nephews.

She was especially happy to hear that her two great-grandbabies, Evelyn and Richard, were born just two days before her death.

Rhoda was interred in a private family burial service on Thursday, September 7th, at 11:00 AM at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Heartland Funeral Home, where the obituary can be viewed online.

The family is most appreciative of the care received through Olathe Hospice in recent weeks.

A memorial service is scheduled at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Ks, on Saturday, September 16th, 2017, at 4 PM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at 3 PM.

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Visits: 1

Condolences

  1. Donna Maurer on September 15, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    What a privilege to know the Rhodes’ family. When I needed a place to stay, while my hephew was hospitalized in KS, I was given a bed and breakfast by Vernon and Rhoda. Rhoda had such a quiet and gentle spirit and was a joy to be around, as were her girls. May the God of comfort, comfort you all at this time.



  2. diana tinnin, KCTPO on September 15, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Althea & Gloria…Thank you so much for sharing your mother with me…I wish I had taken the time to bask in her glow when she came to the Music Hall…I’m grateful that I know you both because as I look at you now I will experience Ms. Rhonda shining through your gentle spirits…Life well lived reaps the benefits of our Lord’s Love long after leaving this existence and a person’s essence abounds in those who carry on…May continue to bless your family as He holds you in the Palm of His Hand…Always in the Spirit that makes us great!



  3. Laura Thacker on September 15, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    Althea and family I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mother. I want you all to know our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Althea I consider you a sister. And love you. Laura Elliott Thacker.



  4. Laura Thacker on September 15, 2017 at 9:49 pm

    This is a beautiful picture of your mother.



  5. Linda Leary on September 18, 2017 at 9:43 am

    Althea, sending love to you and your entire family. You were blessed with wonderful parents and we were fortunate to know them. Your mother will be greatly missed but her beautiful spirit lives on in all of you! With love from one of your “other” sisters, Linda Elliott Leary



  6. Monica Moll on May 2, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    I just now read of Rhoda’s. I’m so very sorry I was not aware of it until today. I met her and your father when they attended the exercise group for the Parkinson’s patients. I loved her for her quiet demeanor and strength during adversity. She certainly was a lovely Christian lady.



  7. Rhoda Rhoads on October 20, 2018 at 12:01 am

    In googling my unusual name, just for fun, I have found details of your mother. The story of her life echoes mine in several ways, making me wish I had known her. Altho’ I live in Edmonton, Canada, I am an American who married a Rhoads from the West Coast (USA), Charles Arthur, in 1964, happily sharing his life until our Lord called him home in 2003. If you think there might be a family connection, I am willing to pursue that with you. Meanwhile, accept my condolences tempered with joy that your mom has reached the goal of her life, eternity with God.



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