Rhoda Marie (Shuck) Stearns

July 19, 1930 – October 25, 2018

Rhoda Marie (Shuck) Stearns died October 25, 2018 being well loved by family and friends, passing gently from this life to the loving arms of those waiting for her in the next.

The oldest of five children, Rhoda was born July 19, 1930 to Monte and Neva (Rhoades) Shuck in Grangeville, Idaho. Her first 20 years were spent as a small-town girl growing up in White Bird, Idaho. During that time, she gathered many happy memories of family and community. She shared these happy times with her own children by way of yearly trips to White Bird where they experienced swimming and fishing in the creek, picnics in the mountains, climbing trees, Christmas tree expeditions, spotting wildlife driving over the loop and many more, adding to their own bank of memories.

Rhoda married Philip H. Stearns on June 4, 1950. It marked the beginning of 49 years of marriage, all lived in Ephrata, Wash. Together they raised three children Kathy, Don and Rick, helping them build their own happy memories growing up in a small town. Prior to Phil’s death in 1999, she lovingly cared for him though several years of his declining health.

Rhoda worked at JC Penney for 27 years before her retirement, taking pride in fitting shoes for more than one generation of customers. She made many dear and lasting friendships in Ephrata while bowling, playing pinochle and Yahtzee and exchanging different flower garden starts. Jigsaw, crossword and sudoku puzzles were favorite pastimes as well. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she never passed up an opportunity to add to her impressive ornament collection. She will be well remembered for her homemade jams and jellies, beaded Christmas ornaments, banana cream pie, black walnut cookies and reading to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and neighbor children.

After Phil’s death, Rhoda remained in Ephrata until 2013. At that time, she moved to Centralia, Wash. to be closer to all three of her children. The light of her life in these last few years was being ‘GiGi’ to her great-grandson Greyson. There was a sweetness combined with spirit about Rhoda that all who knew her could see. She has blessed and loved us all in more ways than can be counted.

She is survived by her sister Jeannette Lester, Grangeville, Idaho; brother Bill (Connie) Shuck, White Bird, Idaho; son Don (Carol) Stearns, Portland, Ore.; son Rick (Joan) Stearns, Portland, Ore.; daughter Kathy (Arnie) Guenther, Centralia Wash.; grandchildren Hilary, Adam, Shannon, Ryan, Jenna and Greg; great-grandson Grayson; nieces Denise and Tanya and cousin Shirley Hartberg.

Rhoda’s family holds deep appreciation for the staff of Chehalis West Assisted Living facility where she made her home for the last 2 1/2 years. She was truly loved there and the care she received was exceptional. Services for Rhoda are being planned for spring 2019 in Ephrata, Wash.