Dorothy B. Rhodes
In the early morning of June 22, 2024, Dorothy Rhodes passed away at her Butte home surrounded by family. She was 85 years old.
Dorothy was born in Stevensville, Montana, on March 9, 1939, to Paul and Doris Bolin. She spent most of her life in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. First attending school in a two-room schoolhouse in Lolo, she graduated from Florence High School in 1956. Dorothy was a tomboy, playing softball and exploring the outdoors with her cousins and friends. She spent many weekends in Missoula with her dad’s mother, Anna Ward, reading comic books and going to movies. She learned to play piano when she was seven, which began her lifelong love of listening to and making music.
After her high school graduation, she worked as a secretary for lawyers, schools, and the US Air Force. She was an exceptional and efficient worker, typing 120 wpm, taking shorthand notes at meetings, and writing letters for her bosses. In 1977 she began working for Florence-Carlton schools, retiring from her job as administrative secretary in 2001 and then turning around and working as an FCHS School Board trustee from 2002 to 2014.
She was married to Merval Rhodes on April 13, 1963 in Salmon, Idaho. For several years, they moved as Merval was transferred for his job. They lived in Stanley, North Dakota, where their first son Dan was born; Moses Lake, Washington, where their daughter Jackie was born; and Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 1968, when Merval was about to be transferred to Houston, they decided to move back to Montana so they could raise their children there. Their sons Jim and John were born in Missoula, and the family lived in their house on Tie Chute Lane in Florence for the next four decades.
A believer in the value of curiosity and varied interests, she instilled a love of reading, music, and discovery in her four children. She was a voracious reader, and often joked that her kids thought she had a book growing out of her arm. Dorothy also loved going to thrift stores and rummage sales in Missoula, and had the city mapped out for finding the best bargains. She loved doing crossword puzzles and playing pinochle.
Most of all, she loved music, and appreciated everything from country to classical to rock. In the late 1960s, Dorothy learned to play the bass guitar and she and Merval formed the country-rock band “The Night Riders,” playing at bars and parties all around western Montana for the next 20 years. She had a beautiful singing voice whether she was singing lead or harmonizing with Merval.
After her husband’s death, Dorothy moved to Missoula and then Butte, playing bass in various accordion bands and other groups from Missoula to Polson. She met her partner Howard Richards in 2019, and they spent her last years playing music and traveling until her health issues made that too hard.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Anna in 1962; her mother, Doris in 1975; her father, Paul in 1992; her son, Dan in 2004; and her husband Merval, in 2009.
She is survived by her partner, Howard Richards of Butte; her brother, Jerry Bolin (Foye) of Missoula; her daughter, Jackie (Aurora Wolfgang) of Austin, Texas; her son, Jim (Becky Shannon) of Butte; her son, John (Karen Medbury) of Summerville, South Carolina; her granddaughter, Vanessa Zarcone (David) of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; and her granddaughters, Madalynn Rhodes and Hannah Lider (Jaydon) of Butte.
The family would like to thank Honeybee Hospice for its invaluable support and care in Dorothy’s last months. Alva, Leigh Ann, Janelle, Heather, Shanda, Jen, Linda, and others were so important to her quality of life and continued interest in the world.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Florence Carlton Community Church, 20075 Old Highway 93,
Florence, MT 59833. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the church. Dorothy will be laid to rest privately at the Carlton Cemetery in Florence, Montana. For now, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dorothy’s name to the Humane Society, https://www.humanesociety.org, or Honeybee Hospice, https://www.honeybeehospice.com.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dorothy.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services is privileged to care for Dorothy and her family.
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Midge Komenda says
Dorothy was my mother-in-law,& one of the best. She was the very best grandma ever! She made many happy memories with Vanessa, my daughter. She instilled in Vanessa her quick wit, sense of humor,& appreciation of all the beauty in life, including music, clothes, interior decorations,& art. She & Merval were there to support Vanessa, the night of her father’s death, despite the horror of losing their oldest child. I’m grateful to Dorothy for helping my daughter become the strong, beautiful, intelligent,& hard-working person that she is!
Kelli DePue says
I love her obit. She sounds famous! What an incredible life story. Every person should strive to have a life of wonder and richness! I always had high regard for your mom and it pleases me to know her behind the scenes.
Rona Smith says
Jimmy, Becky and family, we are very sorry for your loss. I hope your happy memories will ease the pain of your loss. It’s never easy to lose your Mom or Gram. It was fascinating to learn about her musical career. I guess we know where you get your musical talent Jimmy.
Sincere condolences,
Rona and Will
Sundee says
My utmost condolences to the family. I remember Dorothy always being smiley and upbeat when she worked at the school and I was a student. Much love ❤️