Rhodes, Kenneth L. 1957-2009

RHODES, PICK, MOUSEL

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/6/2010 at 19:55:55

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, January 4, 2010

Kenneth L. Rhodes, 52, of Le Mars died unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Ken was born April 29, 1957, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars, the son of Richard and Ruth Ann (Pick) Rhodes. Ken spent his childhood years in Cleghorn. At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Remsen. Ken graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1975. He attended NITC in Sheldon for auto mechanics graduating in 1977.

He was then employed at Fitzpatrick Chevrolet in Storm Lake, Don Shull Ford in Le Mars, Remsen Ford and the Chevrolet dealership in Le Mars for more than 30 years, and received his Masters Certification in Auto Mechanics from Chevrolet.

On Oct. 6, 1979, he married Barbara Mousel. They were blessed with one daughter and one son. Ken loved fishing, woodworking, demolition derbies, NASCAR, snowmobiling, playing cards, bowling and golf. He truly enjoyed being involved with his son's Boy Scout activities and working on cars with his son.

He was a true friend and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Ken loved his family, his faith, and his work. He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children, and his granddaughter.

Ken was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, Knights of Columbus of Le Mars, and Catholic Order of Foresters and Powder Players Snowmobile Club.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of Le Mars; one son, Jeremy Rhodes of Le Mars; one daughter, Jacqueline Novak and her husband Luke of Hampton, Va.; one granddaughter, Sophia Novak; one brother, Dean Rhodes and his wife Kathy; two sisters, Patty Hodgen and her husband John, and Pam Ott and her husband, Allan, all of Remsen; mother and father-in-law, Wayne and Marlene Mousel; two brother-in-laws, Bradley Mousel and his wife Loreen of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Steven Mousel and his wife, Karen of Le Mars; two sisters-in-law, Kerry Loutsch and her husband Ken of Kingsley, and Kristina Berkenpas and her husband David of Le Mars; and numerous nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Phillip Rhodes; maternal grandparents, Alphonse and Erma (Thiel) Pick; paternal grandparents, Thurman and Laura (Oldus) Rhodes; and two nephews, Neal Ott and James Mousel.

Funeral service were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. Kevin Richter and the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Remsen. Visitation was after 3 p.m. Sunday. There was a parish rosary at 4 p.m., and vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Foresters rosary, all at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument of Remsen.

Casketbearers were Ken Loutsch, Mike Barnable, Tony Loutsch, Steve Bohnenkamp, Dave Koch and Bob Gengler.

Honorary bearers were members of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Order of Foresters.