Karla Rhodes

A light to many, Karla Rhodes, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the age of 60. She was the daughter of Donald Rex Long and Helen Linea (Long) Montroy and of stepparents, Steven E. Montroy and Patricia K. (Long) Burkett. She was also sister to Kollen and Kerri.

Karla’s middle son, Makena, spoke tearfully but eloquently: “We lost our leader, the matriarch, the person who put the heart in this family.”

The heart of the family.

It is a touching and much-deserved legacy, one that would surely make Karla smile. Above all else, she desired happiness and togetherness for her close-knit family: sons Merrick, Makena and Makrae, and her devoted husband, Tom.

Forever on the lookout for an enjoyable experience to share, Karla packed an uncommon amount of living, and loving, into her 60 years. She passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 13 in the home she built with Tom in northwest Wichita.

Kindhearted and relentlessly positive, with an infectious laugh, Karla was a shining example of making the most out of every day and every experience.

Highly ambitious, Karla worked long hours and built an impressive career, reaching the positions of senior vice president and chief financial officer for AgVantis, a technology and service provider in the farm credit industry. Even with such a demanding job, she always found time and energy for adventures, both large and small.

A cruise to Alaska, a trip to Vegas to see Garth Brooks or simply having loved ones over for the famous Tom-tilla soup — all tremendous joys for Karla, who brought the fun to every get-together.

No journey, however, matched the love of simple road trips for soccer, the family’s sport of choice. All three boys played through high school, Tom coached for years, and Karla was in her element on the sidelines. Cheering for the boys, taking photos, yelling at officials, crying on Senior Night — all were part of the Karla soccer experience!

The investment in family has paid off richly. Merrick, Makena and Makrae are all successful with big personalities and, more importantly, even bigger hearts. Merrick and Makena are bigwigs at System Beauty, a Dallas logistics company. Makrae works in tech support at Dondlinger Construction.

Karla and Tom enjoyed the sweetest marriage, truly one to envy. It was common for Tom to comment about his “hot wife” and playfully pat her on the rear, which made Karla’s rosy cheeks look redder than usual. The love story began in 1984 when they met at an employee party for David’s, a department store in Wichita where both worked. The couple was married in 1988 at St. Francis Catholic Church.

“She was my best friend,” Tom says.

The family takes great comfort that Karla and Tom spent last weekend in Dallas, celebrating Christmas with the boys and first grandchild, Milly.

“It was perfect,” Tom says. “She was happy. Super happy.”

Karla’s memory will live on in the heart of her mother, Helen Montroy, who modeled love and dedication of family, and siblings, Kerri and Kollen.

Karla joins her father, Donald Long, in heaven. Karla and Tom’s fourth son, Mason, also awaits.

Please join us as we celebrate Karla’s beautiful life on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7901 W. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67205.

Serving as pallbearers are Merrick Rhodes, Makena Rhodes, Makrae Rhodes, Jason Teel, Preston Rhodes, Evan Long, Kyle Boggess, Grace Long and Briley Boggess.

Contributions in Karla's memory may be made to Karla Rhodes Memorial Fund, http://spot.fund/684dp5sc.