Olivia Rhoads

Olivia Rhoads, Farmington, Minn., formerly of McClusky, passed away Aug. 1, 2003, amidst a circle of prayer with her children and chaplain present. She was 92 and half years young. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, McClusky. Burial will be in McClusky City Cemetery, and a fellowship and luncheon at the church will follow.

Visitation and celebration of her life will be held from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Monday at Hertz Funeral Home, McClusky.

Serving as Olivia's casket bearers will be her grandchildren, John Thorson III, Nathan Rhoads, Danny Rhoads, Kara Petter, Terri Petter, A. J. Rhoads, Megan Rhoads, Molly Rhoads and Tyler Petter.

Olivia Hanson was born Jan. 26, 1911, to John Jacob and Olise (Stromme) Hanson, on a farm north of Anamoose. When she was five, her family moved to a farm 17 miles north of McClusky. She attended school in the Herr District. She was baptized and confirmed at the West Scandia Lutheran Church, Skogmo.

Later the family farmed near McClusky, where she graduated from high school. She attended Minot State Teachers College and received an elementary certificate. She taught rural school for five years, and subsequently was a substitute teacher in the McClusky School. She married DeMott Rhoads, at Fessenden, on Sept. 4, 1934. She lived in McClusky until the time of DeMott's death in 1994, at which time she moved to Minnesota to be near her children.

Olivia was a very active in the McClusky community and at St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was a member for 73 years. She also was in the church choir and organist. She was associated with the St. John's Sunday school, for 37 years as a teacher, assistant superintendent and superintendent, junior Bible class instructor for 12 years, and member of the LWML for 27 years and the LWML Circuit holding offices of zone president, secretary, and treasurer for eight years.

She was a current member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Rosemount, Minn., where she enjoyed participating in the making of quilts with the ladies aide. Olivia's community service was extensive working with Happy Hour Homemakers for 36 years, Music Boosters Club, Chairman of the PTA several times, Director and Chairman of the Sheridan Memorial Board, Sheridan Memorial Home Auxiliary, Republican Women, Sheridan County Historical Board, Senior Citizens, Easter Seal State Director, for 20 years, March of Dimes Chairman, Chairman and member of the McClusky Park Board; Chairman of the McClusky Home Beautification Project, Secretary and Treasurer of the McClusky Community Board and member of the City Planning Commission.

Among her hobbies were writing, crafting, quilting, scrap booking and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She loved to paint and she recently proudly donated one of her paintings of Jesus Christ to St. John's Lutheran Church in Rosemount. Olivia was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and being a very active Republican. Her family and friends were her greatest joy in life and Olivia felt truly blessed.

Olivia is survived by one daughter, Eunice Petter, Farmington, Minn.; two sons, O. D. (Gin) and Arlo (Renee), all of Farmington; two sisters, Ruth Polson, Lander, Wyo., and Ruby Frank, St. Charles, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, DeMott; her daughter, Glennis; her sisters, Alvena and Hattie; and her brothers, John and Leonard.