Services for Audrey Rhodes, 83, of Perry, formerly of Chariton, will be Friday, Sept. 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will be at the Chariton Cemetery. Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials are requested to the Chariton Public Library or the Chariton First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com
Audrey was born April 9, 1932, at home in Minneapolis, Minn., to Martin and Sophie Morken Swedeen. Growing up, Audrey fondly remembered the summers she spent at the family farm with her sister, Shirley Swedeen.
She graduated from Rapid City High School in South Dakota. While in high school, she was awarded “Miss Bobby-Sox,” which was a testament to her great legs. After high school, she went on to the University of North Dakota as an elementary education major. While in class at the university, a young man sitting next to her complimented her on her great legs.
Audrey was married to that young man, John Calvin Rhodes, Dec. 27, 1952, at the Concordia Church in Glyndon, Minn. They began their married life in Garrison, N.D., and then moved to Chariton, Iowa, where they raised their children, Bruce, Lori and Marty.
While in college, Audrey spent summers working at a state game lodge in the Black Hills. When her children were in high school, she worked part time at a local vet clinic, Betty’s Fashion Store, and because of her talent and longtime love of quilting, she co-owned The Sampler, a needle point and consignment store. She also enjoyed oil and watercolor painting and working with stained glass.
In the 1960s, Audrey was part of a local singing group called “The Aeolians” that toured Iowa, putting on concerts and musicals. Audrey had the leading role in both “Plain & Fancy” and “South Pacific.” She greatly enjoyed her friendships made as a long-time member of a monthly book club, bridge club, birthday club, quilting group and the First United Methodist Church and their choir. During college, she belonged to Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
Audrey enjoyed playing golf, and as she was with everything, she was very successful. Even though she did most anything left-handed, she golfed right-handed. She turned in a low score for 9 holes of 45.
Family was the most important part of Audrey’s life. She loved every minute spent with family, whether it was a casual get together or family trip. She treasured her sister, Shirley. They enjoyed many, many good times together, and she often recalled singing together with Shirley, Lori and Marty as “The Rhodeens.” She instilled in her family the importance and joy of traveling. Audrey and John enjoyed pontoon boating, ski trips and wintering in Arizona and the Gulf Shores.
Audrey will be remembered by all as a good listener and great friend to all who knew her and as someone who was active, vibrant and lived life to the fullest.
Audrey passed away Aug. 31, 2015. Preceding her in death was her husband of nearly 51 years who passed in 2004, John C. Rhodes; and her parents, Martin and Sophie Swedeen.
Surviving are her son, Bruce (Cheri) Rhodes of Four Seasons, Mo., and their children: Katelyn (Donny Whitton) Rhodes and Kyle Rhodes; daughter, Lori (Greg) Kautzky of Perry, Iowa, and their children: Rev. Zach Kautzky, Brian (Bridget) Kautzky, Ashley (Nate) Platt, Jennifer (Brady) Bulmanski and Aaron (Alex) Kautzky; and daughter, Marty (Kevin) Magalsky of Juneau, Wis., and their children: Luke (Bailey) Magalsky and Abby (Peter) Simon; along with 10 great-grandchildren and her beloved sister, Shirley Swedeen of Denver, Colo.
