Cover photo for Claire Rhode's Obituary
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1947 Claire 2017

Claire Rhode

March 8, 1947 — April 20, 2017

Claire Marguerite Rhode, 70, of Crookston, MN, and formerly of Mentor, MN, died unexpectedly of natural causes at her home Thursday morning, April 20, 2017.

Claire was born at Fosston, MN on March 8, 1947, one of 4 children of the union of Donald and Ruth (McDonald) Hanford. She grew up in the family home on Maple Lake, near Mentor, and was a 1965 graduate of Mentor High School and member of Faith Lutheran Church. Her mother passed away when Claire was 12 years old and her father later in life married Lucille Sykes. On December 20, 1969 Claire was united in marriage to Rodney Robert Rhode of Mentor. The couple made their home in Mentor and their marriage was blessed by the births of 3 children: Tracy, Jim, and Bob. For many years Claire was a First Responder for the Mentor Fire Department and was the first female to become a firefighter with the Department. Sadly, Rodney passed away on January 20, 1988. Claire moved to Crookston in the fall of that year and was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was very proud to have received a bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing and Management in 2004 from the University of Minnesota-Crookston. On August 26, 2012 Claire and Jerome "Jerry" Amiot of Crookston joined their lives together in a ceremony of commitment at Maple Lake. Through the years Claire was employed by various businesses and her last years were spent as a homemaker. She enjoyed doing crafts such as coloring, painting, and sewing. She will long be remembered for the stash of tootsie rolls she kept in her purse and in a jar at her house, that were for her granddaughters. Claire loved spending time at Maple lake enjoying the sun, lake activities, and the peacefulness. Claire's granddaughters were the light of her life and a source of great pride and joy. She attended all of their Lady Pirate hockey games and could always be found sitting in the same spot. She made sure she came early so she never missed a minute of play. Claire leaves her family with many precious memories and she will be very sadly missed.

Loving family members include her companion, Jerome "Jerry" Amiot of Crookston, MN; her daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Todd Allrich of Crookston; 2 sons, Jim Rhode of Tucson, AZ and Bob Rhode of Jamestown, ND; 5 grandchildren: Tori Rhode, and Erica and Jayden Allrich of Crookston, Kaylee Rhode of Pahrump, WA, and Cassie Bies of Grand Forks, ND; 3 great-grandchildren: Jayla and Brianna Sharp and Brooke Bies; Jerry's children: Sheila Champagne, Jay and Aaron Amiot, of Crookston, and Joel Amiot of FL; and Jerry's grandchildren: Mandi Myrold and Nick Amiot of Minneapolis, Sarena Amiot of Denver, CO, Lainee Myrold of Chicago, IL, and Cadin, Maxim, and Dominic Champagne. She also leaves her step-mother, Lucille Hanford of Mentor; a brother and sister-in-law, Hugh and Connie Hanford of Coon Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Bonnie Hanford Holter of Danbury, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to her beloved husband, Rodney, Claire was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Ruth; brother, Bruce Hanford; sister, Mary Hanford; and 2 nieces, Debbie Hanford and Tammy Spitzley. May God richly bless Claire's memory.

The funeral service for Claire Rhode will be held at 10:30AM, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston withy The Rev. Greg Isaacson, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7PM, with a 7PM prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service. A graveside service will be held at 1PM at the Rosehill Cemetery, rural Mentor, MN.

www.stenshoelhouske.com

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral & Cremation Service 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home and Cremation Service

615 South Minnesota Street
Crookston, MN 56716

Prayer service at 7PM.

Service
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
10:30 AM
Trinity Lutheran

205 South Broadway
Crookston, MN 56716

Visitation for one hour prior to the funeral.

cemetery
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
1:00 PM
Rosehill Cemetery

140th Avenue SE
Mentor, MN 56736

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