RHODES, Edward "Ed" D., age 86

Died: Sunday, January 28th, 2018

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the funeral home with Rev. Ronnie Roll officiating

Visitation: from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home

Interment: Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, Wisconsin at a later date

Memorials to the Freedom Honor Flight in memory of Ed would be wonderful as it is such an excellent organization providing free flights to veterans to see their memorials. https://www.freedomhonorflight.org/donate/

Edward "Ed" Dale Rhodes was born February 18, 1931 to the late Edward Isaac and Sophia (Opsahl) Rhodes in Arland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin. He died at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the age of 86.

Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1948-1952 in the occupation of Japan, the Korean Conflict (War), as well as an MP at Fort Riley, Kansas earning several medals including the Purple Heart. Upon his return home, Ed worked several jobs living in Menomonie.

In 1952, Ed married Arlene (Wolfgram) Newton. She had two sons, Randy and Ronald, who Ed raised as his own. They had a daughter, Malinda, born in 1953 and they ended their marriage in 1972.

Ed married Lynette Caquelin in 1973 and they had two children, Benjamin and Amanda. For 32 years they lived in Elk Mound where Ed was very active in the Elk Mound Area Lions Club serving as club secretary for 17 years. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellow and recently completed 40 years as a Lions member.

For 36 years, Ed served on the Menomonie Police Department, retiring as Lieutenant in 1996 at age 65. He later worked part time for the Dunn County Sheriff's Department doing prisoner transport before enjoying full time retirement.

In 2013, Ed went on the Freedom Honor Flight from La Crosse, WI to Washington, D.C. and his son, Ben, went as his companion. It was a long day but provided many great memories for both.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lynette, and their children and Benjamin and Amanda; step-sons, Randy and Ronald Newton and their wives; grandson, Randy Johnson; five great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Helene and Mabel Rhodes; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Malinda; and siblings, Gladys, Victor, Manford, Mrytle, Charles, Bertha, Irvin, Beatrice and Laurence.