Virgil H. Rhode

Virgil H. Rhode, age 84, of Royalton, MN, passed away Monday, March 16, 2015, at the VA Health Care System in St. Cloud, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN, with Fr. Laurn Virnig officiating.Interment with military honors by the Royalton American Legion and the Minnesota Honor Guard will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20th and 9:00 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21st all at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Royalton.

There will be a Rosary by the Christian Mothers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home followed by parish prayers at 6:00 p.m.

Virgil Henry Rhode was born on January 23, 1931, in Morrill Township, Morrison County, MN, the son of Henry J. & Vernie (Schermenhorn) Rhode. Virgil attended country school through the eighth grade.He joined the United States Army in May of 1952 and was honorably discharged in May, 1954.During his military service he was an engineer equipment mechanic with Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company 30th Engineer Charlie Battalion and served during the Korean War.Honors and decorations include the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal.Upon completion of his military service, he returned to his job as a welder at Frigidaire, now known as Electrolux, where he worked for 45 years retiring in 1996.He was united in marriage to Josephine Jean Schlichting on July 13, 1963, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton.The couple made their home in Royalton where they raised their five children.The kitchen table was the heart of their home.In his younger years, Virgil enjoyed bowling, water skiing and snowmobiling.He also enjoyed reading to his grandchildren, playing cards with family and friends and shaking dice.Virgil was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a 44 year member of the Royalton American Legion Post 137 where he served as commander, and was a 45 year member of the International Association of Machinists AFL-CIO.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Josephine Jean of Royalton, MN; children, Gary of Royalton, Patricia (Tim) Flahave of Royalton, Brian of Royalton, Mark (Nicole) of Little Falls and Dennis (Juanita) of Nisswa; brother, Ronald (Mary Ellen) of St. George, UT; grandchildren, Kristina (Ted) Van Hove, Sean (Ashley) Flahave, Kayla (Andy) Dancer, Jacob Rhode, Nathanial Rhode, Kendra Rhode, Isaac Rhode, Carter Gordon, Jaxson Rhode and Braden Rhode; great-grandchildren, Taylor Flahave, Carter Van Hove, Alexis Anderson, Avery Flahave and Landon Dancer; sister-in-law, Elaine Rhode of Shoreview, MN, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Vernie (Schermenhorn) Rhode and siblings, Lorraine (Harold) Kennedy and Wesley Rhode.