OBITUARY: Alice Josephine (Wirth) Rhoades, 1919-2004, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Based on obituary in Mitchell County Press-News -- Dec 15, 2004]



          
                       Alice Josephine Rhoades

Alice Josephine Wirth Rhoades, 85, passed away peacefully on Dec. 9,
2004, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Funeral services
were held Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar
with Rev. Robert Porisch officiating. Burial was in St. Ansgar Cemetery. 

Alice Rhoades was born on the home farm near St. Ansgar, Iowa on January
27, 1919 to John and Josephine Sramek Wirth. She was baptized May 12,
1928 at the First Lutheran Church parsonage by Rev. Waldeland and
confirmed June 4, 1932 in the First Lutheran Church.

She received her education in the St. Ansgar Schools graduating with
the class of 1936, then continuing her education at Iowa State College
in Ames. In 1940, she went to Elm Grove, Wis. to help care for a new
nephew. While there she attended the Milwaukee Business Institute. She
was employed as a cost accountant for the Blatz Brewing Company and
worked in Milwaukee as an accountant until her marriage to Darwin Ross
Rhoades on September 15, 1945 at First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar. She
lived with her mother until her husband finished his enlistment in the
US Navy in October 1948. The next year they started farming the Wirth
family farms east of St. Ansgar. Her mother lived with them until she
could build a house in town for herself and her brother Charles.

Alice was active in serving her church by teaching Sunday School, serving
as the president of the Cemetery Society, (even before she knew where
the cemetery was) serving with the First Lutheran Church women's group,
the Deborah Circle and Bible studies. She was also active as a volunteer
in the community, a member of the garden club and the Federated Woman's
Club. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary she held many offices
at the local level, served as county president, held each of the offices
at the district level and served as chairman of the State membership
committee.

In 1963, she and her husband built the Cedar Lanes bowling Center in
St. Ansgar.  They sold the bowling alley in 1970. It is still in operation
today.

In 1968, they purchased a home in St. Ansgar and continued both business
and farming. They retired from farming 1982. They did much traveling
around the state for the American Legion and Auxiliary as well as
attending four national conventions. They enjoyed visiting children
and grandchildren as well as time spent fishing and relaxing at their
cabin in Waterville, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years Darwin,
her brother William Wirth, her sister Marjorie Wirth Reynolds, her
brother-in-law James Reynolds, and nephew Gary Wirth.

Alice leaves to mourn, three children, son Duane and wife Lois of Loves
Park, Ill.; son Raymond and wife Palma of Kennesaw Ga.; and daughter
Vicki and husband Steve Ross of Pennington, Minn. Five grandsons, Duane
Rhoades, Jr. and wife Joann of Rockford, Ill.; Paul Rhoades of Athens,
Ga.; Barrett Rhoades of Athens, Ga.; Forrest Ross of Bemidji, Minn. and
Axel Ross of Pennington, Minn., along with many nieces and nephews.

The Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar was in charge of arrangements.
(641) 713-4920.



    Copyright 2004, K. L. Kittleson