Barbara "Ann" Rhodes

Ann Rhodes, age 85, of Decorah, Iowa passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 302 W. Broadway St. Decorah, IA with Pastor Cat Stokes presiding. Burial will be at a later date. Lunch will be served immediately following the service.

Visitation will be at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The service will be live streamed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/people/Decorah-First-UMC/61555848324900/

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the family.

Barbara Ann Rhodes, age 85, of Decorah, IA, known to her friends and family as “Ann”, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, after a brief illness, at the Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa.

Ann was born on October 28, 1939, to Ernest D. and Marcella (Nelson) Uhrick in Decatur, Indiana. She graduated from Decatur High School in 1958 and earned her degree in nursing from Rockford Memorial Hospital in 1961.

Ann was united in marriage with James A. Rhodes on August 20, 1961, in Decatur, Indiana. They there after resided in Fayetteville, Arkansas; DeKalb, Illinois; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Santiago, Chile while Jim completed his graduate studies.  They moved to Decorah in August of 1968 where they lived in the same house at 604 Plum Street until she and Jim moved to the Eastern Star Home.

Among her many stints as a nurse, Ann was employed as one of the college nurses in the health service at Luther College from 1968 until her retirement in 1996. She was also an active member of the United Methodist Women, Luther College Women, Luther College Women and Wives and Winneshiek County Nurses. She was active in the Decorah community and her sons’ activities, serving as a Sunday school teacher, accompanist for the United Methodist Church children’s choir, and cub scout den mother. She was also an eager participant in several bridge clubs and coffee groups and served as the first president of the Eastern Star Residents’ Council.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband James and her sons Charles of Stamford, Connecticut, David (Theresa) of Goldvein, Virginia, Matthew (Bridget Szweda) of Anchorage, Alaska and Mark (Britt) of Decorah; nine grandchildren: Joshua Madkins (Nora), Evan Rhodes (Lisa), Eric Rhodes (Emily), Abigail Rhodes, Philip Szweda Rhodes (Amy), Frances Szweda Rhodes, Margaret Rhodes, Andrew Rhodes, and Nathan Rhodes; three great-grandchildren: Isabella Madkins, Maya Madkins and Luke Rhodes; and one brother: David Uhrick of Columbus, Ohio; along with five nieces and nephews.