Susan I. Rhodes

May 28, 1924 - April 9, 2016

Susan “Susie” Irene Rhodes (née Pavlenko), 91, of Menomonie Wisconsin died peacefully, Friday, April 8, 2016 at her home after a recent diagnosis of brain cancer. She was born May 28, 1924 in Sheridan Township to Joseph and Susie (Stencel) Pavlenko. She was baptized (May 24, 1925) and confirmed (July 13, 1941) at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Boyceville, Wisconsin. Susan graduated from Oak Lawn Elementary School, Boyceville and attended Boyceville Hill High School, until 1942. At this time she moved to Illinois, employed as a telephone operator for Illinois Bell. Susan married Laurence D. Rhodes on May 10, 1944 in Boyceville. They were blessed with two children, Laurence and Lon. Susan worked at Beatrice Foods (Sanna Dairies) for 38 years retiring in 1985. After retirement, Laurence and Susan spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona, active in the WELS Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona. Susan enjoyed a full and active life. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Menomonie, participating in the church choir, Ladies Guild and Homemakers. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, jigsaw puzzles, garage sales and dancing. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. She was a good neighbor and friend to many. Susan will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Susan is survived by her son, Lon E. (Barbara) Rhodes of Menomonie, two grandchildren, Rodney Lee Rhodes of Baldwin, and Lynda “Lyn” Rhodes of Saint Paul, MN, one brother-in-law, Edward (Lynette) Rhodes of Eau Claire, three sisters-in-law, Helene Rhodes and Mabel Rhodes of Clayton, and Lorraine Rhodes of Red Wing, MN, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence, her parents, two brothers, John and Joseph, and six sisters, Ann Schaufelberger, Olga Viitanen, Helen Thomas, Rose Stevens, Lillian Pavlenko, Elsie Rude, Edith Pavlenko; her son, Laurence, her daughter-in-law, Suzanne, her granddaughter, Laurie Sue. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Brett Voigt officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. There will be visitation on Wednesday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.