Obituary of Florence Rhoades

View Video Tribute Longtime Burlington resident Florence Esther Rhoades passed away on December 24, 2006 at the Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, Colorado. She was 98 years old. Florence Esther Rhoades was born on March 27, 1908 near Menlo, Kansas to Charlie and Jennie Barnhart. She was the second of seven children born to this family. In 1918 the family moved from Menlo, Kansas to the Happy Hollow community northeast of Burlington and then they moved to a farm two miles east of Hale where she stayed until she got married. Esther graduated from the 8th grade in 1923. During high school she and her brother Ira would live with their grandparents and attend school in Decatur County School District in Oberlin, Kansas. In May 1927 she finished her high school requirements in Oberlin proving to be an excellent student; especially in Algebra and Home Economics. On December 14, 1927, she married Harley Rhoades and they moved to his family’s homestead northeast of Burlington. Esther worked hard as a farm wife and homemaker spending countless hours cooking and canning. To this marriage two children were born; Ray Dean and Helen Marie Rhoades. They all lived at the farm until 1951 when they moved to town so that Ray could attend high school and compete in sports but summertime was spent out on the farm. Her days were filled with cooking, gardening and canning and even though she loved these chores she always said her most favorite invention was the deep freeze so she no longer had to can meat! She attended the Burlington Gospel Chapel and taught Sunday school for years. She lived the life of a loving Christian woman until she died and was a pillar of strength working long hard days at the farm without complaint. She was a patient loving mother to a very energetic son and a daughter with special needs. If you knew Harley, you would agree that Esther earned many jewels in her crown being his wife for sixty years. Florence was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Jennie Barnhart, her husband Harley, her brothers Everett, Ira, Leonard and Dean, her sister Pearl and son Ray. Florence is survived by her daughter Helen and daughter-in-law Sara Lee Rhoades. She is also survived by her four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; Gary and wife Kendra and their children Karah and Kolby Rhoades, Judy and husband Larry and their children LaRae and Logan Feldhousen, Bobby and wife Shari and their children Brok and Brant Rhoades, all of Burlington, Colorado, Jay and wife Angela and their children Harley and Haedyn Rhoades of Douglas, Wyoming. Her sister Marveline Fetters of Littleton, Colorado, sister-in-laws Louise Barnhart and Lola Rhoades, both of Burlington, Colorado, and Velma Rhoades of Delta, Colorado, and one brother-in-law Lowell Cowen of Goodland, Kansas, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services for Mrs. Rhoades were held on Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 10:30 at the Evangelical Free Church in Burlington with Pastor Ron Lee officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be made in her name to Dynamic Dimensions Inc. and may be left at the Bank of Burlington, Burlington, Colorado.