Ila Rhoads

Ila Maxine Rhoads was born to Grover Cleveland and Jenny Ora (Freeman) Ploghoft on December 3, 1919, in Cumberland, Iowa, and passed away September 8, 2012, in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 92.


Maxine was a life long Cass County resident spending her early years in Cumberland and graduating from high school in Lewis, Iowa. On October 3, 1945, she married Harland (Hi) Rhoads in Hiawatha, Kansas. He died May 28, 1981. Maxine spent many years as a home maker and working in the restaurant business.

She was a past Lewis City Council Woman and a co-founder and member of the Senior Citizen Activity Center, as well as being active in various community organizations. Maxine was a long time member of the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis where she was on the board and served on the Women's Guild.

Maxine's pastimes included listening to music, dancing, playing cards, going to the casino occasionally and spending time with family and friends. She loved helping other people and would accept anyone into her home. Maxine had a strong faith. One phrase she spoke often was, "Don't worry, everything will work out OK."

Maxine is survived by her children, Connie Griffin of Atlantic, Carol (Chris) Bullington of Stanton, Nancy Thomas (Kenny Bieggar) of Atlantic, Kent (Deb) Rhoads of Walcott, Cal (June) Rhoads of Elk Horn, Roland Rhoads of Springdale, Arkansas and Roger (Debbie) Rhoads of Griswold; sisters, Helen McPherson of Phoenix, Arizona and Betty Williams of Missouri Valley; brother, Ernest Ploghoft of Athens, Ohio; grandchildren, Jeff (Jodie) Rhoads, Jennifer Williamsen, Chad (Michelle) Hardy, Victoria Hardy, Kevin (Jill) Griffin, Craig Griffin, Michelle (Stan) Jens, Jim (Rhonda) Bullington, Terri (James) Mischo, Mandy (Chris) Thurman, Jeremy Rhoads, Curtis Cook, Carrissa (George) LaMark, Clint Thomas, Barbie Weaver and Brock Weaver; 37 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; many special step-grandchildren; special friend, Lila Kunze; and many other friends.

Preceding Maxine in death were her husband; parents; sisters, Dorothy Brand and Bonnie Greenlief; brother, Ronald Ploghoft; half-brothers, Dale Ploghoft and Lester Ploghoft; step-sons, Max, Leland, Don and Russell Rhoads; step-daughters, LaVerne Grieger and Isabell Fay; and step-grandchildren, Ronald Sperry, Betty Globe, Richard Boyer, Jim Fay, Max Fay and Robert Rhoads.

All services will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2012, with the visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

A luncheon will be held following the funeral service in the Hockenberry Family Care community room.

Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.