September 21, 1932 - August 20, 2016
Rhoda Emilia Bos, nee Rolf, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 20, 2016. Born September 21, 1932 to Albert and Beata Rolf, Rhoda grew up in Ambia, IN. Albert was a Lutheran pastor, and his Christian guidance and influence guided Rhoda throughout her life. German was her first language; she learned English upon entering kindergarten. Rhoda attended Valparaiso University, worked at NBC Studios in Chicago, and later as a stewardess with TWA in the early 1950’s.
While on layover in San Francisco in 1955, she attended a party where she met young Lt. Roger Bos, a US Navy fighter pilot. They were married June 1956, with Rhoda’s father officiating. They were married 55 years until Roger’s passing in 2010. As a young Navy wife, Rhoda kept the home fires burning while Roger was frequently deployed. Her husband’s naval career led them to move 14 times in 25 years, with her favorite being Gaeta, Italy. Their final tour of duty took them to Naval Air Station Fallon, NV, and they retired to Gardnerville, NV in1979 where Rhoda became an avid gardener, raised chickens, peacocks and a lamb.
Rhoda was an accomplished seamstress, an excellent knitter, cook, and correspondent (she could write a newsy note like nobody’s business). She was also a voracious reader. A self-described political junkie, Rhoda was relieved to not have to cast her presidential ballot this year. Beautiful, devout, strong-willed, independent, intelligent, gracious, classy, and witty - Rhoda will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her. Rhoda is preceded in death by her husband Roger, and son Daniel. She is survived by her son Thomas, son Steve, daughter-in-law Lynn and grandchildren Adam and Lauren, brother Bill, sister Lois and their families. A memorial service is scheduled for September 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Reno, NV.
