Kenneth L. Rhodes

Kenneth L. Rhodes, 52 years old, of LeMars, IA, died unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in LeMars, IA.
    Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. Kevin Richter & Rev. William McCarthy officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Remsen.  Visitation will be anytime after 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.  There will be a parish rosary at 4 p.m., and vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus & Catholic Order of Foresters rosary all at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument of Remsen.
    Ken was born April 29, 1957, at Sacred Heart Hospital in LeMars, IA, the son of Richard & Ruth Ann (Pick) Rhodes.  Ken spent his childhood years in Cleghorn, IA.  At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Remsen, IA.  Ken graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1975.  He then attended NITC in Sheldon for auto mechanics graduating in 1977.  He was then employed at Fitzpatrick Chevrolet in Storm Lake, Don Shull Ford in LeMars, Remsen Ford, and the Chevrolet dealership in LeMars for over 30 years & received his Masters Certification in Auto Mechanics from Chevrolet.
    On October 6, 1979, he married Barbara Mousel.  They were blessed with one daughter and one son.  Ken loved fishing, woodworking, demolition derbies, NASCAR, snowmobiling, playing cards, bowling, and golf.  He truly enjoyed being involved with his son’s Boy Scout activities & working on cars with his son.  He was a true friend and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  Ken loved his family, his faith, and his work.  He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children, and his granddaughter.
    Ken was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in LeMars, Knights of Columbus of LeMars, Catholic Order of Foresters & Powder Players Snowmobile Club.
    Survivors include: His wife Barbara of LeMars;  One Son, Jeremy Rhodes of LeMars; One daughter, Jacqueline Novak & her husband Luke of Hampton, Virginia; One granddaughter, Sophia Novak; One brother, Dean Rhodes & his wife Kathy.; Two sisters, Patty Hodgen & her husband John, Pam Ott & her husband Allan all of Remsen; Mother & Father-in-law, Wayne & Marlene Mousel; Two Brother-in-laws, Bradley Mousel & his wife Loreen of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven Mousel & his wife Karen of LeMars; Two sisters-in-law, Kerry Loutsch & her husband Ken of Kingsley, IA, Kristina Berkenpas & her husband David of LeMars.  Numerous Nieces & nephews, several great nieces & nephews.
    Preceded by: his parents; one brother, Phillip Rhodes; Maternal grandparents, Alphonse & Erma (Thiel) Pick; Paternal grandparents, Thurman & Laura (Oldus) Rhodes.  Two nephews, Neal Ott & James Mousel. 
    Casket Bearers will be, Ken Loutsch, Mike Barnable, Tony Loutsch, Steve Bohnenkamp, Dave Koch, Bob
Gengler.
     Knights of Columbus honorary bearers will be Paul Ahlers, Steve Pick, Ron Schnoes,
Jerry Weiler.
    Catholic Order of Foresters honorary bearers will be Mark Sudtelgte, Chuck, Pat & Ron
Wurth.