Mildred Rhoads Obituary

Mildred Violet Rhoads was born in Cass County, MN, to Martha Lena Schineman and William Perry Kistner on Oct. 18, 1930.

Her brothers, "Bud," "Marv," "Al" and sisters Ada, Evelyn, Dorothy, Nina, "Liz," Frances and Alice all preceded her in death. She passed away July 3, 2025, from complications of a stroke. "Not bad for 92" she would say, although she was 94!

As a teen she worked late at The Nickle Skillet cafe where if, the customer could squeeze in after the late show, they got served. But she really enjoyed working at the library where she developed her love of English literature.

In the winter she had to wear pants over her skirt to keep warm. Dress codes did not allow pants for women. Even later she would ask if it was okay to wear pants to an event.

She married her high school sweetheart, Earl Oliver. She laughed that they were referred to as "Mutt and Jeff," as he was well over 6'2" tall to her tiny 4'10-1/2" frame. Yes, that 1/2 inch was important.

Millie worked in the Office of Special Investigations where she prepared cases for military court. Earl was killed in a peacetime military plane crash in Alaska.

Millie was introduced to John Marshal Rhoads on a blind date and they married on Nov. 21, 1959 in Bellevue, Neb. After Roxane was born in 1963 they were stationed in England, Massachusetts and Nebraska. She was secretary at the First Baptist Church and obtained her BS degree in English at Bellevue College. She could spot a grammatical error in this, I am sure!

In 1986 her brother, Al, built them a home near the airbase in Arkansas with a large kitchen pantry she adored.

She loved singing soprano in the choir, crosswords puzzles, desert cookbooks, sewing, jewelry, silver, china and cats.

Millie is survived by her daughter, Roxane Elaine Smith (Phillip), and grandchildren Matthew Alexander Tackett, Benjamin Paul Tackett and Jennifer Lauren Tackett.

Mildred will be interred with her husband at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Ark.