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BORN
1933
DIED
2011
FUNERAL HOME
Mary Rhoads Obituary
Ankeny
Mary Rhoads, 78, of Ankeny passed away on July 1, 2011 at home with her family by her side following a long 13 year battle with Alzheimer's. Mary was born on February 11, 1933 in Clinton, Iowa to Robert and Leona Swanson. She was a lifelong resident of Iowa and participated in scouting, church choir, teaching, college registration and 18 years as a secretary in the House of Representatives. She was a resourceful, fun loving wife and mother, caring deeply about her family and friends.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 57 years Cecil; three daughters, Marce (Keith) Huhn of Nevada, Sandy (Mike) Macklin of Ankeny, Susan (Tim) Jennings of Ankeny; two sons, Tony (Jana) Rhoads of Ankeny and Paul (Vickie) Rhoads of Ames, 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister, Gloria Izard of Vine Grove, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Robert Swanson.
The family would like to thank SouthernCare Hospice for their loving care.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Both will be at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut St., Ankeny, Iowa 50023. Burial will be in Ankeny Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, SouthernCare Hospice or Ankeny First United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Rhoads
Carole Jepson Droste
September 2, 2011
Cecil and Family,
I was so saddened by Mary's death. I was in high school and Deb club with her and we had some great times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Carole Jepson Droste
Alice and Dick Butler
August 30, 2011
Thank you so much, Cec, for sending the program for Mary's funeral. Your kind words were so welcome. My tears flowed freely as I looked at the picture of my childhood friend. I also loved seeing the pictures posted on this site. She was very special to me and my memories are many. It has been a joy knowing you, Cec. Sending love to you and your family.
Kim Wilhelmi
July 21, 2011
My prayers are with you all. Love you
July 19, 2011
Paul and Cecil, what a special lady Mary was. We here at Pitt thought the world of her and have missed her. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. She will be greatly missed by all.
Joyce - Pitt
July 8, 2011
Cecil and Paul: You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Maury and Sandy Waugh, Fort Wayne, IN
July 6, 2011
Dear Marce & family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family on this sad day.
Ron & Carol Wieck, Sioux City
Rosemary Robbins
July 6, 2011
Cecil and Family,
We at DMACC all adored Mary. I teased her about her husband's team in Sigourney always defeating Marengo's fb team! She put in a good word for me at the legislature and I was priviliged to also work there with her one winter. My deepest sympathy
Jerry Yocom
July 6, 2011
Cecil and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristian Dugger
July 5, 2011
We pray God will give you all His peace now and in the days to come. With love from our family to yours,
Kris, Angie, Peyton and Sydni
July 5, 2011
Cecil and Family,
Dean sent me the news of Mary's passing and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have some idea of your last few years. I have been a full-time caregiver for Jerry, who also has Alzheimers disease. Just recently Dean and Becky insisted I get some help so I now have help each morning which is a great relief to have just a few hours to myself. I am blessed to have a great extended family where we live, so many caring people. I know that we are never ready to let go, but thank goodness for many wonderful memories, as I know that is the case in your family. May you be blessed by those great memories.
Yvonne and Jerry Riesen
patti lewis
July 5, 2011
God bless you Cecil! We cherish the years we had with Mary and we are here for you when you need us! Patti Lewis & Mike Timmons
Kindra (Davis) Jones
July 5, 2011
Sandy & Family,
Thoughts & prayers to you all.
July 5, 2011
Marce and Family,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family, I empathize with you after just losing my Mom in April. I am always here for you whenever you want to talk, it helps belive me.
Deb, Paul and Heather Malsom
karen carlson
July 5, 2011
To Sandy and her family, So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our class is thinking of you at this sad time. Strength to you and your family at this time.
Traci Hubbard
July 5, 2011
Marce and family, we love you very much and you are in our prayers! God Bless you and your family. Wes and Traci Hubbard
Dave Wood
July 5, 2011
Mary was a special mom who was always
pleasant, sent positive kids to school and was supportive of school. She will be missed. A former Ankeny teacher.
Bob and Lori Horner
July 4, 2011
Cecil, we we so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. We have so many fond memories of her. She will be greatly missed
July 4, 2011
Cecil, I am so sorry to here about Mary. I have thought of both of you often. You were great neighbors. Betty Grife Ankeny,Iowa
Laura Lee Ramirez
July 4, 2011
Coach Rhoads and family,
You have our deepest sympathy. May God continue to comfort you and wipe away your tears. "For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted". Isaiah 49:13b
Laura Lee (Pevestorf) and Ben Ramirez
Doug Pinkham
July 4, 2011
Cecil,
Sorry to hear of Mary's passing. My sympathy to you and your family.
Jerry Haines
July 4, 2011
prayers to the family, may God Give you strength,
David Haines
July 4, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Aunt Mary relaxing in Kentucky
Marty Izard
July 3, 2011
July 3, 2011
Coach, Sorry about your loss. I am in Kansas recovering from surgery so I can't make the service. We'll be thinking about you. Take care.
Eldred and Charla Kingery
July 3, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. She is at peace now.
Kay and Marion Gilreath
Mary Ballard
July 3, 2011
To the Rhoads Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I graduated from Ankeny High School in 1985 with Paul. I remember Mary from school and she was such a wonderful person. My prayers are with you. I am honored to know such a wonderful woman. God Bless.
Todd and Julie Hauser
July 3, 2011
Dear Rhoads family, Prayers for Peace when you need it most and for Strength to carry you through the days ahead are being lift up. It's a wonderful picture of Mary, just how I remember her.
Nancy Landers
July 3, 2011
When we moved to Ankeny 22 years ago, Mary and Cecil were the only neighbors we had at that time. We became "backyard" neighbors instantly, exchanging stories about our children, dogs, and well, just life itself. Mary had a very special way to always make me feel better about the "little things" in life that bug a young mother and housewife....turns out her advice became priceless with me! We shared alot in those days and when they moved away, I knew the neighborhood just wasn't going to be the same. We will miss Mary but also know how much this dreaded disease took from her and our peace now comes from knowing she is no longer suffering. Our prayers are with the surviving Rhoads family~God Bless You.
Marty Izard
July 3, 2011
To the Rhoads family,
It is with heartfelt sympathy that we hear of Aunt Mary's passing. She was a wonderful person, mother and aunt. We cherish the many times we spent with her and all the Rhoads family. We love you and will see you soon.
Marty, Kelly, Dannielle, Bailey, Shawn and Peyton
bill suzy anthony mary frein
July 3, 2011
Having the pleasure of getting to know the rhoads family over the past 8 yrs and seeing how they support each other it makes me believe mary played a huge role in the development of the family. I wish I would of been able to get to know her brfore her illness. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Wm Bond
July 3, 2011
Dear Rhoads Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mary. She was such a good and fun loving person and a faithful choir member back in Nevada so many years ago. Thoughts and prayers to you during this time. Wm Bond Kc Mo
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
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Ankeny Funeral Home and Crematory1510 West First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
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