Bonnie Rhode

Bonnie Lou Rhode was born August 10, 1933, the daughter of Sverre & Marie Amundsen, in Alcester, South Dakota. She was baptized on October 8, 1933. She graduated from the Centerville High School, in Centerville, South Dakota. Bonnie was united in marriage to Irvin Rhode on June 20, 1953, at St. Clara Catholic Church, where she has been an active member ever since. Bonnie attended the Granite Falls Vo-Tech in 1980, where she graduated in dietary supervision. She was employed with the American Legion as a cook and later retired from the Clara City Care Center following twenty years of service.Bonnie loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had the opportunity to travel and visited Hawaii in 2000 and then to Europe in 2002. While in Europe she visited Germany, Italy and the Vatican. She was awarded the Bishops Medal of Service in April of 2005, in appreciation for her services on the Parish Council, as Bazaar chairperson and Parish Brunch chair as well as many other committees. Bonnie has been involved in the Council of Catholic Women, serving in many offices, as a Religious Education teacher, constant volunteer on Parish projects and in Bible Study. She has been a member of the Legion Auxiliary, a weekly Bingo volunteer at the Clara City Care Center. She was also active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the CCW, serving as president in both groups.Bonnie passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She was 76 years of age. She is survived by her six children: Andrew, Mark, Wayne (Marilyn), Greg (Kristie) all of Clara City; Marilyne (Albert) Morisette of Osakis; and Stanley (Tracy) of Maynard; 21 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren; one sister Barb Lykken of Alcester, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1978; two grandchildren: Alisa Rhode and Thomas Rhode; and two brothers: Jerry and Ordean Amundsen.