George A. Rhode, 87, of Gillett, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016, and is now reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen.
George was born on Aug. 8, 1928, in Wabeno, son of the late August and Olga (Riegert) Rhode. He was raised in Wabeno and Gillett, and attended Gillett High School, graduating in 1946. George then took over the family farm and was a self- employed dairy farmer for 50 years.
George married the former Helen Akemann on Oct. 3, 1953. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2011. He loved his wife deeply and missed her every day since her passing. The couple lived their entire married life in Gillett and were blessed with one son, one daughter, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
George had a passion for working on his farm and expanding it to new levels of production over the years. He received three years of training for cooperative directors and served as director of Outagamie Producers for 13 years, as well as being elected vice president. He also served as director and vice president of Alto Dairy Co-op for five years, director of Wisconsin Federation of Co-ops for eight years, NFPF of National Dairy Federation of Co-ops Milk Producers for eight years, USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee for 15 years, and was a DNR fire warden for more than 10 years.
George was a member of the Town of Gillett Fire Department for 55 years, serving as treasurer for 20 of those years, and was made a charter member. He and his wife, Helen, became 4th of July parade marshals. George was director and vice president of the Oconto County Commission on Aging for almost 15 years. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for over 70 years, serving as church council president for nine years and was on the finance committee for two years.
After retiring from farming in 1996, George was employed at Seneca in Gillett for 11 years as a waste manager. He retired in 2005.
George and Helen were blessed to spend many winters at their winter home in Winter Haven, Florida, where he enjoyed playing cards, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. Over the years he also enjoyed snowmobiling, working around the yard and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his children, David (Debbie) Rhode, of Gillett, and Diane (Craig) Martin, of Shawano; eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Stacey) Carlson, Josh Carlson, Andrea (Mert) Aktan, Jared Rhode (fiancé, Sara Peterson), and Alex, MacKenzie, Malory and Zachery Soper; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; three brothers, Edward, Adolph and Robert; and two sisters, Gertrude Reichwald and Lillian Glasl.
A funeral service for George will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gillett. Pastor Bill Kamke will officiate. Interment will take place at Wanderers Rest Cemetery in Gillett. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in George’s name for the Town of Gillett Fire Department.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.