Annette Rhodes 1942 – 2023

Annette Irene Rhodes, 81, Nevis, MN passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Park Rapids, MN.
Annette was born June 7, 1942 in Sibley, IA the daughter of Omke and Emma (Ommen) Engelkes. She grew up in Sibley, graduated from high school and attended Gale Institute for International Business Machines. On March 23, 1962 she was united in marriage to Alden “Dusty” Rhodes in Sibley. They had three children, Nicholas, Randall, and Lisabeth.
In Sibley she worked for Wayne Drug and Mauch’s Texaco. In 1966 the family moved to Nevis. Annette worked for Northwoods Press and also owned and operated Dusty’s Gateway Station with her husband. From 1976-1997 she owned and operated Rhodes Garden Center in Nevis and continued to work at the garden center for her daughter until retiring in 2020.
Annette loved to garden. She collected hand fans. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Park Rapids. She loved to travel. Last year she enjoyed traveling to Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. The last three winters she went to and appreciated South Padre Island, Texas. She also took a trip to Savannah, Georgia. She was invited to go to the International Convention of Jehovah Witness , held in Columbia.
Annette is survived by her children: Nick (Jackie) Rhodes of Jordan, MN, Randy (Gwen) Rhodes of Nevis and Beth Poole of Nevis; her siblings: David (Diane) Engelkes of Arnolds Park, Iowa, Carl (Sandy) Engelkes of Villard,MN, Betty (Glendon) Pomrenke of Worthington, MN; 14 grandchildren: Cassandra, Amber, Chantelle, Jamie, Rachelle, Kayla, Dustin, Amanda, Will, Shelby, Violet, Loren, Becky, Daisy; and 20 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Omke and Emma Engelkes; husband, Alden “Dusty” Rhodes; brother, Eddie Engelkes; and son-in-law, Kelly Poole.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Park Rapids, MN. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be held at the Resthaven Cemetery in Nevis, MN.
Arrangements are being handled by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids and Nevis, MN. 10-18