Her obit says she was born in Tuskeego, Lucas Co, IA but that isdoubtf ul since her parents lived in Bloomington Twp, before and afterher bir th.
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May 4, l922
LORENA BATHE was born in Tuskeego, Iowa, November 2l, l868, the secondd aughter of GEORGE R. and MARGARET ANN BATHE. She received hereducation a t the Tuskeego School.
She was a great help to her mother in caring for the younger childrena nd took the mother's place when she died. Several of the boys livingwi th her for many years after their mother's death, besides otherboys wh o needed a home and a mother's love.
She was married to CHARLES T. RHODES of Tuskeego, on December l6,l890, a t Chariton. Their first home was at Tuskeego. They moved toKellerton w here they resided for a year, then moved to their homenorthwest of Lam oni where they lived for twenty-seven years. To thisunion were born tw o children, FAYE L. and LEIGHTON L., who grew tomaturity in and about L amoni.
She was determined that her children should receive a good educationan nd did her part in seeing that they made the best use of theiropportun ities, sending them through high school and college.
Her home was one of those which approached closely the Christian idealo f a home (*can't read) the highest degree. The home stood out as anexa mple and a light to those about it and influenced many who startedthei r homes to cling to the ideals which made it a true home. Undersuch an e nvironment of domestic love and fidelity, her children grewto maturity . But there were many young people who were helped by italso.
She gave her heart to God and joined the Methodist Church when she wasf ifteen. She was never ashamed of such membership nor of her faith inGo d. She was an active worker in the local church and could bedepended u pon at all times to do her part. She was a steward for manyyears and h er counsel was of value always. She was recognized in thecommunity as a C hristian and respected because of her firm courage todo the right.
MRS. RHODES was recognized as a leading spirit in every movement forth e betterment of the community and the welfare of every one.
During the war, she was chairman of the Bloomington Chapter of the RedC ross and also was Republican Chairman for the Republican Ladies ofBloo mington Township.
On October 4, l92l, she fell backward on the cement sidewalk and wasqu ite severely injured, but she recovered shortly afterward andseemed to b e getting well again, but on February 7, she took the flu,which with t he fall, hastened her serious illness. On April 2nd, herfolks took her t o her son's home at Cumming, Iowa, where the bestmedical aid was secur ed and a trained nurse. Her husband, daughter,son and his wife, with t he host of friends did all in their power toaid her recovery, but she w ent quickly, dying on Sunday, April 23.She had been in failing health f or a couple of years, but few thoughtseriously of it, even when she wa s taken to Cumming.
Funeral services were from the home, Wednesday last, in charge of Rev.J . Vincent Gray, sermon by Rev. R.M. Shipman, of Nevada, Iowa, formerPa stor of M.E. Church at Lamoni.
Music was furnished by a quartet from the Presbyterian Choir atCenterv ille, which MISS FAYE RHODES directs. The members were Mrs.Gladys Coop er, Mrs. R.F. Perjue, Mr. Archibald Lockwood and Mr.Payne; Mrs. Payne a ccompanied on the piano. Mrs. Cooper also sang asolo.
Relatives present at the funeral were her husband, daughter, son andhi s wife, her sister, MRS. CARRIE SHEPHERD, of Pueblo, Colorado, herbrot her, AVON E. BATHE, of Teneyson, Oklahoma, and IRVIN L. BATHE, ofLamon i, also HERBERT WILEY and family of Davis City, FLOYD CODER andLOU RHO DES of Leon, besides a large concourse of friends.
