Dorothy Hariet Mayfield Rhodes Obit

DOROTHY HARRIET MAXFIELD RHODES was born at home on July 17, 1929 to Ragna Elizabeth (Rono) and Joseph Leroy Maxfield in Perry Lake Township by the Mississippi River.  On Nov. 15, 2022, Dorothy went on to heaven due to natural causes when she was 93 years old.   Dorothy attended C-I High School graduating in 1947.  Mom then pursued administrative employment until she met, and then married Edward on March 19, 1950.  Over the years, their family grew to five children.  After Edward’s unexpected death in 1964 and suddenly a single parent, Dorothy reentered the work force at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.  Mom retired in 1994, working over 29 years helping patients through their admittance to the hospital. Our mother was tough, independent and bounced back from life’s unexpected curve balls. Her husband Edward Douglas “Bud’’ Rhodes, Jr., her parents, brothers Harry and Orville, daughters Janice Lorraine and Darcia Dee welcomed mom into heaven.   From heaven Dorothy is watching and guiding her surviving children Debra Lynn, Marlene, and Edward Douglas III; sister Irma; grandchildren Timothy, Brent, Lacey, Regina, Neely, Ryan, Allie, and Justine; great-grandchildren Grady, Kory, Maya, Greyson, Beau, Garret, Raegan Dee, Jordan, Lizzie, Lilli, Sophia, Remy, Jack, Magnus Edward, Eleanor Dorothy, Oliver, and Inga; nieces/nephews Avis, Randy, Doug, Gwen, Betty Lou, Buddy, Sandy, Marilyn, Debbie, Mike, Steve, and Susan. Mom made the “best ever’’ sugar cookies, lemon bars (nephew Randy’s obsession), mashed potatoes, swiss steak, toast, caramel rolls, cream puffs, spaghetti, vegetable beef soup and more!  Thank you Allie, for converting mom’s hand-written recipes into “Gramma Dot’s Cookbook.”   For her lifetime, mom supported St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; was active in the CCW women’s group, assisted with funeral dinners and the famous pasty making project.   For many years, she planted a garden and then canned every type of vegetable produced from her labor including dill pickles and dill grown from the garden.  Mom made jellies from her rhubarb patch and shared with neighbors and strangers who stopped by wanting rhubarb.   Mom cared about all animals.  She allowed Daisy a homeless dog and other destitute cats, a rabbit and chicken find permanent shelter with our family.  After a neighbor passed away, mom took in her orphaned cat.  For many years mom fed birds from “Dot’s diner” a birdfeeder Ed built for her. The last year of mom’s life, Ed was her rock; Marlene and mom’s friend, Cheryl were her rockettes, thank you Cheryl.  Mom was the last original remaining person from our 1950s neighborhood.   Thank you for being our mentor Mom we miss you, as you told Ed near the end, “I want you kids to stick together”, we will mother.   If you would like to make mom’s life even more meaningful, please recycle, take care of the environment, and if you too would like, donate to her memory to HART, 15494 Dellwood Dr., Brainerd, MN 56401, or Wild & Free, PO Box 241 Garrison, MN 56450. A Catholic graveside service will be held at Lakewood Cemetery on July 15, at 11 a.m.  Family and friends are invited to mom’ services; afterwards a noon lunch will be served at the Ironton American Legion.