Dorothy L. Rhodes

Dorothy L. Rhodes, age 89, of Menomonie, died Monday, November 21, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Eau Claire.

She was born on August 19, 1927 in Menomonie to Fred and Lillian (Schlueter) Lemke.

Dorothy graduated from Menomonie High School in 1945, and her skills included accounting and managing small businesses in the service industry in Eau Claire and Menomonie. Her focus moved from business to marriage and family when she met and married Vernon Rhodes on January 25, 1949. Her family has always been an important part of her life. As a cancer survivor, she dedicated many hours to various cancer support organizations.
She was a proud lifelong resident of Menomonie and was a member of many civic organizations, often taking leadership roles.

Membership at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie, was very important for her and she was active in many church organizations and groups. Her family was also a priority as she managed the household and her children’s schedules and activities. Her family continued as a priority as grand and greatgrandchildren arrived. She was creative and innovative in her cooking, often developing new recipes. She was especially known for her baked beans, rhubarb cake, and ham and bean soup with dumplings.

Dorothy and Vernon were well known for their ballroom dancing. They also shared a strong passion for organic vegetable and flower gardening, landscaping and antiques. Traveling throughout the United States with their family led them to become eager snowbirds in Arizona and Mexico upon retiring.

Dorothy is survived by 4 children Sharon (Jon) Becker of Red Wing, MN, Linda Shoemaker (Steve Lautenschlager) of Albuquerque, NM, Steven (Katherine Klass) Rhodes of New Franken, WI, Susan (Greg) Kaiser of Menomonie; 9 grandchildren Chad (Janet) Johnson, Aaron (Emily) Johnson, Christel Johnson, Alyssa (Cameron) Riegelman, Kristine (John) Davies, Jayson (Kari) Shoemaker, Matthew (Cari) Greeley, Ethan (Jordyn) Kaiser, Nichole (Joel) Roemhild; 12 great grandchildren; 1 sister Beverly Seiler of Menomonie, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon, sister Bernice Mickelson and brother Richard Lemke.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Monday, November 28, 2016 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Brett Voigt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00PM to 7:00PM Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.