Loretta Rhode

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Loretta Marie Rhode (Zimprich), age 84 of Cottage Grove, passed away on March 28, 2020, at home surrounded by her family.

Loretta was born November 13, 1935, in Jessie, North Dakota, to William and Ernestine Zimprich.  In 1954, Loretta graduated high school from St. Catherine’s Catholic School, Valley City, ND.  She missed her freshman year of high school after contracting Rheumatic Fever and having to teach herself to walk again.

In the Fall of 1954, she moved to St. Paul, MN, and began working as a bookkeeper at Universal CIT.  While working at Universal CIT, she met Betty Jodl (Rhode).  Loretta and Betty quickly became friends.  In 1955, when Betty brought mom home for dinner, Loretta met Betty’s brother, William (Bill) K. Rhode.  During this visit, Loretta couldn’t get 2 words in edge-wise, as Bill was busy talking her ear-off.  They quickly began dating and were married September 14, 1957. They lived in St. Paul a short time before making their home in Cottage Grove in March 1959.

Loretta dedicated her life to her family, they were first and foremost in her life and loved them all dearly – 8 kids, 20 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.  She loved being surrounded by family, she loved baking – to which few could match; she loved gardening, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, reading, playing bingo, animals, and bird watching.

Loretta was so dearly loved, she was the sweetest person ever, never had a bad word to say about anyone.  She was well known as “St. Loretta”.  She was a great listener, you could always trust Loretta with a secret.  If you told her a secret, she likely took it with her.  She was the best mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Loretta is survived by her 8 children, Julie (Dan Winsor), William Jr. (Kristi), Kenneth, Ladine (Jon) Krueger, Betty (Erling) Hansen, Joseph (Judy) Rhode, Marie (Mark) Pachares & Steven (Polly) Rhode; 20 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; Siblings, Dorothy Ashbaugh, Rosemary (Dennis) Flick, and Jim (Shelly) Zimprich; sister-in-laws,  Betty (George) Jodl; Mary Helen Rhode and Nancy Rhode; brother-in-laws, George (Judy) Rhode; Jack (Juanita);, as well as many nieces, nephews, family & friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Rhode; her parents; her brothers, Francis and Ralph Zimprich; brother-in-laws, Joe Rhode and Thomas Rhode, and her great-granddaughter, Ava Marie.

Celebration of Life 11 AM, Friday, July 24, 2020 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 920 Holley Ave, St. Paul Park, MN 55071 with visitation beginning at 10 AM. Due to COVID conditions, burial took place on April 13, 2020.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings while abiding to a 50% capacity at the facility. The use of face masks by attendees at the church is REQUIRED, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep your families safe.