Obituary of Lona Walker Rhodes

Lona Walker Rhodes, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2015, in Cedar Hills, Utah. She was born July 3, 1924, at her grandmother’s home in American Fork, Utah, the only daughter and second child of Perry and Venus Clark Walker. She lost her father at the tender age of three and was raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah, by a mother who did everything in her power to make her childhood as happy and as normal as possible. She attended the old Central School and then graduated from Pleasant Grove High school and seminary in 1941. She was employed at the Central School, and at the City and County building in Provo, Utah, as a proofreader. In the spring of 1942, she became engaged to Glen Adams Rhodes. She “never doubted that he was the one”. They were married on July 17, 1942, in Salt Lake City and moved to California for two years. They returned to Utah in 1944 and their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1946. They were married for 67 wonderful years and five children were born to this union—Larry (Shauna) Rhodes, Kent (Chris) Rhodes, Dennis (Kris) Rhodes, Julie Ann (Ronald) Proctor, and Randy (Kelli) Rhodes. Glen preceded Lona in death September 12, 2009. As a member of the LDS church, Lona accepted her first church calling as a Sunday school teacher. She especially loved teaching the 15 year old age group. She loved their enthusiasm and growing desire to learn truth. She also served as a Primary teacher and President, Relief Society President, and temple worker in the Provo Temple baptistry. She and Glen served a mission to San Jose, California in 1983-84. They also served as stake missionaries in the American Fork West Stake for four years. Lona was unwavering in her testimony of Jesus Christ, living His gospel by her example. She was a refined, beautiful lady who cared deeply for others. She loved being with family and is the proud grandmother of 30 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren. “Her children arise up and called her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28. She is survived by four of her five children and a sister-in-law, Beverly Rhodes. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Dennis and brother, Virgil Walker. Our family would like to thank Lindsay Brown, nurse practitioner, and all the caregivers at The Charleston Assisted Living Center, as well as Inspiration Hospice for their compassionate and discerning care of our mother and grandmother. A viewing will be held Thursday evening, December 17, from 6 until 8 PM at Anderson and Sons Mortuary 49 East 100 North, American Fork. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the American Fork 23rd Ward, 680 North 350 West. A viewing will be held Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 at the same location. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Anderson and Sons Mortuary and burial will be in the American Fork cemetery.