Earlita M. Rhoads

Earlita M. Rhoads, 91, longtime Moses Lake resident passed away at her home on Saturday following a short battle with thyroid cancer. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel and Crematory. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory.

Earlita was born in 1913 in Seattle, daughter of the late William and Irene Emslie. She was married in 1941 to Arnold Rhoads and they moved to Moses Lake in 1954 where they raised their four children.

As a resident of Moses Lake for 51 years she is remembered for her many acts of kindness and service to the community: she started working in the Welcome Wagon Service in 1958, and continued for many years being one of the first persons newcomers met when they relocated in Moses Lake; she served in the General Federated Women's Club for twelve years and was active in community service; she was an active member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and lately had a Restoration Group meeting in her home on Sundays; she faithfully prepared bingo prizes for area nursing homes for twenty years; she volunteered at the Calico Cat from the first months of its opening and remained active there mending clothes and tending the store until diagnosed with cancer in May; she was the oldest member of the Moses Lake Curves — exercising three days a week at 91 years of age!

Earlita and Arnold owned and managed rental properties in Cascade Valley and around town.

Earlita loved learning and continued taking classes at BBCC into her 90's.

She was an active supporter of Moses Lake Community Concerts for more than 30 years.

She is most remembered by those who knew and loved her for her for her kindness and gentle spirit. She and her husband were recently featured in the Columbia Basin Herald's human interest article "Rhoads of Love" as a testament to 64 years of lovingly sharing their lives together.

She is survived by her husband, Arnold; four children, Marilee McCrath , Kansas City, Mo., Jan Esquivel, Zillah, Wash., Bill Rhoads, Sibley, Mo., and David Rhoads, Chinook, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Grace Anderson, Yakima, Wash.

Her enduring legacy is her dedication to God, her family, and her service to others. She honored God in everything she did, and showed her love in faithful service to others. She was truly an elect lady.

For those who wish, a memorial contribution may be sent to the local chapter of the Salvation Army, 310 S. Cedar Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837.