Lavern M. Rhode

Lavern M. Rhode, 90, of Crystal, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by family on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2024.

Lavern was born on March 7, 1934 in Minneapolis to John and Anna (Schumacher) Fries.  She lived in Loretto and in 1952 graduated from Orono High School.  After high school, she worked in banking as a Key Puncher, Ross Sportswear, General Mills and later for the family business Rhode Lock & Glass. In 1954 she met the love of her life Thomas Rhode at the Catholic Youth Center and were married at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis on July 9, 1955. They were blessed with six children and 66 years of marriage. They resided in Crystal where they raised their family. Together they enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their cabin in Annandale.

Lavern loved water skiing, bowling, golf, cribbage, fondue, card club, bingo and going to the casino.  She also loved traveling to Arizona, Florida, cruises and Vegas. She was a faithful member of Parish Community of St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Hope.  Lavern will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all that knew her.

She is survived by Jim (Delire) Rhode of Buffalo, Connie Bolduc of Greenfield, Colleen (Randy) Heino of Annandale, Kert (Kathy) Rhode of Corcoran, Mary Beth (Jim) Collis of Oakdale, Tim (Brenda) Rhode of Greenfield, 13 grandchildren, 19 great-children, her twin sister Laurell (Fries) Ostrow, niece Julie (Bill) Shea and great niece and great nephew.

She was proceeded in death by parents John and Anna (Schumacher) Fries, infant brother Leroy, husband Thomas, Son-in-law John Bolduc (Connie) Sister Beverly Fries SSND (Sister), brother-in-law Alvin (Ozzie) Ostrow.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday Oct. 18, at Parish Community of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 8701 36th Ave. N., New Hope, Minnesota, 55427.

Visitation will be held at  10 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m., followed with a luncheon.

Lavern will be laid to rest at a private burial in Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope, Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 18.

For more information go to www.Epilogg.com.