Delbert RHODES

WIEHMEYER, RHODES, NELSON, WELLMAN, DRIGGS

Posted By: Rita (email)
Date: 11/23/2006 at 13:35:53

Delbert Rhodes 1917-2006

Delbert Rhodes, age 89, of Renville, Minnesota, died early Saturday morning, November 11, 2006, with family by his side. Del was born on July 15, 1917 to Fred and Augusta Wiehmeyer Rhodes in Dows, Iowa. He graduated from West Concord High School and continued his education at Augsburg College where he earned a Major in Chemistry with a Minor in Mathematics and Physics. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and served as a pilot where he flew many hours in the B-24 Liberator and PBY Flying Boat. He was stationed in Guadalcanal during W.W. II. He married Arline Nelson on September 26, 1943. They lived in both Long Beach, California and Phoenix, Arizona while in the Navy. When they returned to Minnesota, Del became a teacher at the Cottonwood School for one year. They moved to Renville in 1946. Del was a teacher at the Renville High School for 2 years. In 1948, he became an electrician and started Community Electric in 1949. Del spent any spare time he had at his cabin on Sandpoint Lake near the Canadian border in Crane Lake, Minnesota. His love for the woods and fishing was apparent by his passion for chopping wood, picking berries and walking the trails. His mentoring of many young people up north will be a lasting legacy that many won't forget. He is preceded in death by his wife Arline Rhodes, and two sisters, Della and Dorothy. He is survived by his three children, Karen Rhodes (Gene Wellman), Jody Driggs (Art), Steve Rhodes (Amy) and his 10 grandchildren. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30 am at First Lutheran Church in Renville, MN.

Published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on 11/12/2006.