Eva "Janie" Jane Rhodes

Eva Jane (Olson) Rhodes, age 95 passed away May 3, 2024. Eva “Janie” was born in Racine on October 22, 1928, daughter of the late Willard and Ella (nee: Acklam) Olson. She graduated from Washington Park High School in 1947. On November 6, 1948 she married Donald C. Rhodes. In the earlier years she was employed by Oster and Hamilton Beach. Raising four children, she also enjoyed sewing, making many tailored items, decorating, crocheting, knitting, gardening, playing the piano and playing cards, especially Schafkopf. She was skillful in many types of work: planting cabbage, cutting seed potatoes, mixing mortar, cutting block, assisting in family roofing projects, canning, and baking pies, chocolate chip cookies and the house favorite chocolate cake. She hosted numerous family fun events around an in-ground swimming pool and volleyball set for 41 years. Grandma Janie attended numerous band concerts, and sporting events of soccer, basketball and baseball games of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Janie traveled to all 50 states and 26 countries. She was known for her creativity, resiliency, resourcefulness, and hospitality. Janie will be sadly missed by her children Robin (Gerald) Smerchek, Ricki Rhodes and Ronald (Rhonda) Rhodes and grandchildren Jason (Karen) Smerchek and their children Dominic, Josie and Trevin; Joel (Erin) Smerchek and their children Zackary, Drake, Luke and Brecken; Nathan (Haley) Bochler and their children June and Wolfgang; Ryan Bochler and Missy Maracco; Jessica (Chris) Rhodes May and their children Ford and Galveston, Jacob (Kim Bartlett) Rhodes and their children Alexis (Zachary) Beckman and Conner Jurena; Peter (Stephanie) Missureli and their children Shaylin, Stella and Sienna; cousin Bonnie Sorenson, friends Janet Kuhl, Lorraine Harris and Ginny Brask and many other relatives and dear friends. Janie is preceded in death by her husband of 74 years Don Rhodes, her parents, a son Randall, a daughter-in-law Cheryl Bochler Rhodes, Rhodes’-in-law and their spouses: Jeanne (William) Buending, Janis (Joseph) Filippone, Gerald (Sarah) Rhodes, Yvonne (Arthur) Petersen, Lewis (Mary Alice) Rhodes and Marge (Robert) Rowley, A celebration of Janie’s life will be held at Hickory Hall, 5844 Douglas Ave, Racine, on Sunday May 19, 2024. Visitation is from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. service with storytelling and dinner immediately following. The Reverend Kaye Glennon from Sacred Journeys Spiritual Community officiating. Many thanks to the caretakers, nurses, staff and all the employees of St. Monica’s for providing numerous activities, care and support to Don and Janie during the last 3 years. Thank you also to Arise Physical Therapy and Hospice Alliance. Janie’s favorite charities are those that feed people or help children.

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Eva "Janie" Jane Rhodes

October 22, 1928 - May 3, 2024