Rhoda White

White, Rhoda MADISON/ VIROQUA Rhoda Sarah White, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008. She was born June 3, 1905, the fifth of nine children, to Robert and Sophia (Hilbo) Mellem in Vernon County. She graduated from Viroqua High school in 1923 and Vernon County Normal in 1924. She taught for 13 years in rural schools prior to marrying Donald White in 1938. After living in Colorado for six years, they returned to Wisconsin, settling in Viroqua. Rhoda, at 102, was the oldest person ever to join Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. During her many years in Viroqua she actively participated and served as an officer in many organizations: The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Order of the Eastern Star (secretary for 26 years), Vernon County Historical Society, Retired Educators, Sons of Norway, Womens Relief Corp, Hospital Auxiliary, AARP, and Womens Literary Society. After raising her sons she continued her education worked as a classroom teacher and a substitute. She was graduated from UW-La Crosse with a bachelors degree in education in 1970, at age 65. Following her retirement from teaching she wrote a local news column for the La Crosse Tribune and served for three years as curator for the Vernon County Historical Museum. In addition to belonging to many organizations, Rhoda enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, making quilts, braiding rugs, and other crafts, which she often gave as gifts. She and her friend, Agnes Yttri presented comic skits to organizations in the Viroqua area for many years. Rhoda and Donald had two sons, Bill (Sally), who is senior pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, and Norman (Kaye), who is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, White Plains, N.Y. She is survived by her sons; four grandchildren, Sara of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Scott (Stacey) of Lawrence, Kan., Kirstin Mack (Andrew) of Tinley Park, Ill., and Will of New York City; and four great-grandchildren, Thomas and Isaac White, and Abigail and Meghan Mack. Rhoda was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; and her siblings, Gertrude Seymour, Arthur Mellem, Mabel Jerman, Minnie Peterson, Agnes Torger, Leone Pionke, Edythe Peterson, and Naomi Jacobson. Funeral services will be held in Resurrection Chapel at OAKWOOD LUTHERAN VILLAGE WEST, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008, and also on Saturday, March 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 221 S. Center Ave., Viroqua. Burial will be in the Walnut Mound Cemetery in Retreat. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the charity of ones choice, to Viroqua United Methodist Church or Bethel Lutheran Church (Madison) Media Ministry. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com