Robert and Mary Jane Rhodes
Robert “Bob” Rhodes was born in Worland, Wyo., on Nov. 1, 1933, to A. Mayben and Bessie (Reed) Rhodes. He was raised with sisters Grace and Frances, and brothers Alan and Tom. He enjoyed his large family of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents that supported one another during difficult times. He graduated from Cody High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. When he returned to the Big Horn Basin he met a young lady, Mary Jane Davis.
Mary Jane (Davis) Rhodes was born in Greybull, Wyo., on Feb. 21, 1938, to Claude and Olive (Smith) Davis. She was raised with sister Charlotte and brother Bill. Mary Jane was also fortunate to have her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents close. Mary Jane graduated from Basin High School and attended some college in Powell before meeting Bob.
Bob and Mary Jane were united in marriage on March 14, 1958, in Greybull, Wyo. So began their life together. They had three children, Robert Michael (Mike), John Thomas, and Rhonda Rae. They began their journey in Basin before moving to Moorcroft, Wyo. Bob worked for True Oil Co., becoming the gas plant manager. The plant was moved to Watford City, N.D., in 1973, where Bob and Mary Jane and their children were welcomed into a loving community. Bob continued his work with True Oil Co. and Mary Jane worked for the Co-Op Lumber Co. Later, they would open Century Office Supplies and become a Main Street enterprise for many years.
When they retired, they moved to Littleton, Colo., to be near their son Mike and his family. They lived there for 20 years and were very involved with their church and community organizations. They made the decision to move back to the north country in 2021, and made the trip to Glasgow, Mony., where their daughter, Rhonda lived. It was shortly after moving that Mary Jane was diagnosed with cancer. Their final years were not quite as planned but they made many friends and played lots of hands of pinochle.
Mary Jane passed away June 10, 2023, at the Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow, Mont. Bob passed away June 16, 2023, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont. They will spend their eternity together.
Preceding them in death are their parents; son, John; siblings, Grace and George Busch, Frances and Bob Lass, Alan Rhodes, Linda Rhodes, Bill and Shirley Davis, Rocky Boquist.
They are survived by son; Mike (Jeri) Rhodes of Littleton, Colo.; daughter, Rhonda (Mitch) Griebel of Glasgow, Mont.; grandchildren, Ben (Anna) Rhodes of Parker, Colo., Davis (Christine) Rhodes of Fort Collins, Colo., Janice (Zach) Bailey of Forsyth, Mont., and Debra Griebel of Glasgow, Mont.; and great-grandson, Cecil Griebel of Glasgow, Mont.; Bob’s brother, Tom Rhodes of Idaho Falls, Idahu; Mary Jane’s sister, Charlotte Boquist of Stanton, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Interment of cremains will be held at the Schafer Cemetery on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. officiated by Rob Favorite. A reception for family and friends will be held at the First Lutheran Church afterwards. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, N.D., is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.