Marcella A. Rhoads

Visitation: 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 12, 2010 with the family present to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare. Celebration of Life Services: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the funeral home. Memorials in her name to be used at the discretion of the family will be accepted. Marcella Ann, the youngest of three daughters of Cloyde and Lennie Kingery Mills, was born April 18, 1945, in Ottumwa, Iowa. As a youngster, Marcella was her middle sister’s mascot during basketball games. She graduated from Winterset High School in 1963. Following high school, Marcella attended beauty school for a short-time in Des Moines and was an accomplished seamstress. Marcella was a homemaker and mother before beginning her career with the Winterset School District as a school bus driver. There she met her loving husband of 31 years, Bobby. They were married May 11, 1979 at the First Christian Church in Winterset. Together they raised their sons, John and Robert Martin, along with Jason Rhoads, from previous marriages, and Cory Rhoads from their union. Marcella continued to be a bus driver. She was then promoted to Transportation Secretary and lastly Transportation Director for the Winterset School District retiring July 1, 2008, after 32 years of service. Marcella and Bobby loved to travel, from Disney World to Alaska and everywhere in between, including trips to the Caribbean, on over 13 different cruises, long motorcycle trips, and back-packing in the mountains. No job was ever too big for Marcella. She was very handy and could fix and repair most anything. She was an avid walker, taking daily 8 to 10 mile walks. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and spending time with family. She was delighted when helping others, and was most happy being a grandma and great-grandma. On Tuesday morning, November 9, 2010, Marcella died peacefully at home from brain cancer. She lived 65 years, six months and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; a father-in-law, Lester Rhoads; a son, Jeremy D. Rhoads; and a sister, Betty Culp. Marcella is survived by her husband, Bobby; children, John (Kathy) Martin of Richmond, VA, Robert (Vicki) Martin of Winterset, Jason (Ann) Rhoads of Poulsbo, WA, and Cory (Melissa) Rhoads of Winterset; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and two great-grandchildren in the oven. She is also survived by her loving sister, Arlene (Murray) Cline of Winterset; and a mother-in-law, Letty (Buck) Miller of Peru, IA.