Dorothea "Dottie" Kay Rhodes

Born August 8, 1943 in Effingham, she was the daughter of Vincent J. and Hilda K. (Kerner) Dhom, she married Richard “Dick” Smith Rhodes on January 16, 1965 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston. He died March 26, 2018 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one son, Richard Todd Rhodes on August 17, 2006.

Surviving are one daughter, Kimberly (Mark) Klokkenga of Dunlap; four grandchildren, Shaun (Rebekkah) Rhodes of Sanford, Florida, Ryan (Kelsie) Rhodes of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Austin Klokkenga and Megan Klokkenga, both of Dunlap; five great-grandchildren, Tesslyn, Sadie Kay, Harper, Presley and Tatum ; one brother, Norman (Gloria) Dohm of Sunnyvale California and daughter-in-law, Terry Rhodes Isaacs Crossville, Tennessee.

She graduated from Newton Community High in 1961 and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston in 1965. She continued her education, receiving her Master of Science Degree in Education from Illinois State University in 1988.

Dottie had worked for at Pekin Community High School as a counselor from 1991 until her retirement in 2007. Prior to that, she taught at Lewistown Community High School from 1988 to 1991 and was an active substitute teacher from 1982 to 1986 during that time she also worked as a real estate sales agent. Dottie transported special needs students for District 108 in Pekin in 1981 and 1982 and was a homebound teacher for the high school from 1973 to 1975.

She was a member of American Association for Counseling and Development, Illinois Association for Counseling and Development, National Education Association, Illinois Education Association, Lewistown United Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. She co-chaired Pekin Board of Realtors Committees in the 1980’s and was one of four original officers of the Broadmoor’s Band Parent’s Club in the 1980’s. Dottie assisted with Brownies and Cub Scouts in the 1970’s.

Dottie enjoyed traveling, gardening, sewing and doing calligraphy with colored pencils. She also had a fondness for playing tennis, ice skating and taking OLLIE Classes at Bradley in Peoria. Dorothea’s greatest joy was spending quality time with her family.

Because of her AWESOME “Team Dottie” caregivers, she was able to spend her last years in her own home continuing to be a loving friend to all who knew her.

She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

Her funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 8, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Monday morning at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Guidelines regarding social distancing and wearing of masks will be followed. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554, St. Joseph Catholic School, 300 South 6th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 620 St. Joseph Place, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com