Norman Rhodes

Norman Rhodes, 90, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully at the Rolling Green Village Nursing Home in Nevada, Iowa, on January 21, 2022. Norman Mills Rhodes was born May 9, 1931 to parents Floyd and Nellie (Mills) Rhodes in Collins, Iowa. He attended school in Clemons, Iowa and graduated in the class of 1949. On December 12, 1952, Norman was united in marriage to the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Bartine. Together they called Marshalltown their home and raised their four children Beverly, Bradley, Rebecca and Bartine there. He supported his family by working at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown until his retirement in 1992 after 32 years. Throughout high school he was on the basketball and baseball teams. He and his brother Lowell loved playing together growing up. They had a reputation for being great teammates as well as tough to beat, which earned them the nicknames “Nip” and “Tuck”. One sports writer even called them “the scoring twins”. Those names stuck with them the rest of their lives. Sports was something that he always loved, whether it was as a player, coach or referee. He made sure to keep up with the Hawkeyes and Yankees to see how they were doing each year. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing, gardening, and birdwatching. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 14, 1974. His relationship with his Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and his hope for the future on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was an important part of his life and gave him strength throughout his years. After retirement, Nip and Pat moved to Calera, Alabama for 10 years, before returning to Marshalltown. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Pat; his children, Beverly (Dwight) Ross, Bradley (Debra) Rhodes, Rebecca Springer, and Bartine Rhodes; his grandchildren, Scott (Kenisha) Ross, Angela (Scott) Baker, Nicholas (Rachel) Springer, Katherine Springer, Blake (Tasha) Rhodes and Ginger (Elliott) Cris; his great-grandchildren, Kieran, Kennedi, Kayden and Landon; his sister-in-law Marilyn Rhodes; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Nellie Rhodes and his siblings, Reva Rhodes, Avonelle Rogers, Pauline (Loran) Kemmerer, Merrill (Doris) Rhodes, Thelma (Gerald) Ross, Mildred (Joseph) Rowden and Lowell “Tuck” Rhodes. Nip was known as a kindhearted, gentle man. As an example of his concern for others, he wanted to have a virtual service to keep everyone safe from Covid. Out of respect for his wishes, a Zoom memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 1:30pm under the direction of his family. Please send an email to niprhodes1@gmail.com for the information needed to join or any questions. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com.