Rhoda G. Brakke

Rhoda G. Brakke, 93, of Moorhead, MN, died Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Eventide on 8^th in Moorhead, MN.  Rhoda Geraldine Rehder was born November 12, 1926, to Edward and Alma (Rosenfeldt) Rehder on the family farm in Holy Cross Township near Comstock, MN.  She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church near Sabin, MN on December 25, 1926.  She graduated from Comstock High School in 1944 and continued her education at Moorhead State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University Moorhead), graduating in 1948, and taught senior high for a year in Lake Park, MN.  On January 29, 1949 she married Milton “Bud” Brakke at Trinity Lutheran, Sabin.  Together they made their home in the house in which Rhoda was born and farmed there until Bud’s death in 1983.  Over the years she was very active at Comstock Lutheran Church teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and participating in all the activities of the “Circles” in Ladies Aid including Bible studies.  At home she provided for all of the family’s needs as she was a very efficient homemaker and an excellent cook and baker.  She never considered herself creative or crafty but was open to try the various projects introduced at the neighborhood Homemakers gatherings.  She also had a beautiful singing voice and played the piano at home.  Rhoda and Bud did quite a bit of square dancing over the years.  Though there wasn’t much time for it, reading was one of her greatest joys, a carry-over from her college and teaching days; she had a great fondness for birds, flowers, and animals, particularly dogs.  Many hours were spent in the car driving their third child, Lee who was developmentally disabled, to various therapy sessions in the area his first five years.  She took great pleasure in having her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren nearby.   In 1999 after several years of living alone it was decided it might be best for Rhoda to move off the farm.  She reserved an apartment in the brand new Linden Tree Circle at Eventide and lived there until she moved to the nursing home in September of 2018.

She is survived by 3 children, Joyce (Jeff) Wold of Fargo, ND, Glenn (Noel) Brakke and Lynn (DeAnna) Brakke, rural Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Eric (Meredith) Wold, Edina, MN, Andrea (Nick) Huseby, Plymouth, MN, David (Steph) Brakke and Robert Brakke, Fargo, ND, Jenna (Josh) Buetow and Christopher Brakke, Eugene, OR, and Aaron Brakke, Moorhead, MN, and 7 great-grandchildren: Anderson, Charlie and Lauren Wold; Jonas and Clara Huseby; and Abby and Gracie Brakke; 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Milton; son Lee Brakke; an infant son; her brother Ralph and sister-in-law Lilah Rehder; 6 brothers-in-law, 6 sisters-in-law, 2 nieces and 1 nephew.

The family wishes to thank the many staff at Eventide who took special care of Rhoda over the years and also Internal Medicine Associates, Essentia and Sanford Hospitals, Hospice of the Red River Valley, and her greatest heroine, her hairdresser Marlene.

A visitation will be held Friday evening March 6, 2020 at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m.  Rhoda’s funeral will be held Saturday March 7 at Comstock Lutheran Church, Comstock, MN at 11 a.m.

Blessed be her memory.