RHOADS, Ethel F. 1927-2016
RHOADS, FREESE, GIEKEN
Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/12/2016 at 05:39:35
Ethel Faye Rhoads, 88, of Grundy Center, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center after a brief illness. A funeral will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 10:30 AM at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 13th from 5 to 7 PM at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center.
Ethel was born on February 3, 1927 in Hardin County, Iowa, the daughter of Riebke & Effie (Gieken) Freese. She was raised with her 11 siblings in rural Holland, Iowa. She attended school in Holland until the 8th grade, as she had to quit school to help care for her siblings after her mother passed away. Ethel later worked at the Stout Grocery Store and took care of area farmers young children.
On February 18, 1948, Ethel was united in marriage to Charles Albert Rhoads Jr. at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They welcomed two sons into their family. The family moved to Grundy Center in 1957 and Chuck & Ethel purchased the city service station, in which they owned and operated for 16 years. She also worked part time at the Grundy Style Shop, Harry's Shoebox and babysat for many families in Grundy Center.
Ethel was a member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, a member of the Rebekah's, and volunteered for the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a faithful attendant at Church and enjoyed the church coffee groups. Ethel also enjoyed garage sales, shopping, collecting numerous items but her visits from her great-grandchildren brought her the most joy in life.
She is survived by her two sons, Randy (Jane) Rhoads of Reinbeck & Dan (Jean) Rhoads of Grundy Center; grandchildren Patty (Kent) Wulf of Norwalk, IA, Brian Rhoads of Des Moines, Chet (Darcy) Rhoads of Grundy Center & Chris (Nicole) Rhoads of Grundy Center; great-grandchildren Travis, Nicole & Trey Wulf, Carson & Raelynn Rhoads & Bentley & Remington Rhoads and one on the way, due in July; numerous nieces and nephews.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; husband Charles; brothers John, Arthur, LeRoy, Richard, Arnold "Bud" & Floyd "Flip" Freese and sisters Ruth Freese, Irene Harms, Gladys VanLengen, Esther Purvis, Juliette Ugulini & infant sister Rosemary; great-granddaughter Kherington Rhoads.
--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)
Grundy Obituaries maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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