LORENA (BATHE) RHODES

BATHE, RHODES, SHEPHERD, WILEY, CODER

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 6/30/2002 at 19:11:55

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May 4, l922

LORENA BATHE was born in Tuskeego, Iowa, November 2l, l868, the second daughter of GEORGE R. and MARGARET ANN BATHE. She received her education at the Tuskeego School.

She was a great help to her mother in caring for the younger children and took the mother's place when she died. Several of the boys living with her for many years after their mother's death, besides other boys who needed a home and a mother's love.

She was married to CHARLES T. RHODES of Tuskeego, on December l6, l890, at Chariton. Their first home was at Tuskeego. They moved to Kellerton where they resided for a year, then moved to their home northwest of Lamoni where they lived for twenty-seven years. To this union were born two children, FAYE L. and LEIGHTON L., who grew to maturity in and about Lamoni.

She was determined that her children should receive a good education annd did her part in seeing that they made the best use of their opportunities, sending them through high school and college.

Her home was one of those which approached closely the Christian ideal of a home (*can't read) the highest degree. The home stood out as an example and a light to those about it and influenced many who started their homes to cling to the ideals which made it a true home. Under such an environment of domestic love and fidelity, her children grew to maturity. But there were many young people who were helped by it also.

She gave her heart to God and joined the Methodist Church when she was fifteen. She was never ashamed of such membership nor of her faith in God. She was an active worker in the local church and could be depended upon at all times to do her part. She was a steward for many years and her counsel was of value always. She was recognized in the community as a Christian and respected because of her firm courage to do the right.

MRS. RHODES was recognized as a leading spirit in every movement for the betterment of the community and the welfare of every one.

During the war, she was chairman of the Bloomington Chapter of the Red Cross and also was Republican Chairman for the Republican Ladies of Bloomington Township.

On October 4, l92l, she fell backward on the cement sidewalk and was quite severely injured, but she recovered shortly afterward and seemed to be getting well again, but on February 7, she took the flu, which with the fall, hastened her serious illness. On April 2nd, her folks took her to her son's home at Cumming, Iowa, where the best medical aid was secured and a trained nurse. Her husband, daughter, son and his wife, with the host of friends did all in their power to aid her recovery, but she went quickly, dying on Sunday, April 23. She had been in failing health for a couple of years, but few thought seriously of it, even when she was taken to Cumming.

Funeral services were from the home, Wednesday last, in charge of Rev. J. Vincent Gray, sermon by Rev. R.M. Shipman, of Nevada, Iowa, former Pastor of M.E. Church at Lamoni.

Music was furnished by a quartet from the Presbyterian Choir at Centerville, which MISS FAYE RHODES directs. The members were Mrs. Gladys Cooper, Mrs. R.F. Perjue, Mr. Archibald Lockwood and Mr. Payne; Mrs. Payne accompanied on the piano. Mrs. Cooper also sang a solo.

Relatives present at the funeral were her husband, daughter, son and his wife, her sister, MRS. CARRIE SHEPHERD, of Pueblo, Colorado, her brother, AVON E. BATHE, of Teneyson, Oklahoma, and IRVIN L. BATHE, of Lamoni, also HERBERT WILEY and family of Davis City, FLOYD CODER and LOU RHODES of Leon, besides a large concourse of friends.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
June 29, 2002