Ishpeming – Rhoda M. Pelto, age 88, longtime Ishpeming resident of the Mather Nursing Center in Ishpeming Twp. passed away on Thursday May 17, 2007 at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming where she had been a patient for the past day.

Rhoda was born November 26, 1918 in Negaunee the daughter of the late Richard and Beatrice (Mitchell) Rice. She attended the Negaunee Schools and had worked as a sales clerk at the Dime Store and Levine's Store in Negaunee. Following her marriage to Gunnard Pelto she moved to Ishpeming and was a homemaker. Rhoda was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, having been active in the Women's Circle in her younger years. Rhoda had been active with the Parents Group of the Mentally Handicapped. She enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, spending her summers at camp, and being around her grandchildren.

Survivors include her son Steven of Ishpeming; a daughter Susan (Edmund) Holmgren of Ishpeming, 2 grandchildren – Lauri (Al) Mitchell of Marquette, and Darren (Jenny) Holmgren of Oconto, WI, great grandchildren – Jordan & Mikayla Mitchell, Grace Holmgren and another due in August, 3 sisters – Elaine Savala and Gerry (William) Kipling both of Ishpeming, and Elizabeth Trewella of Marquette, a brother William (Alice) Rice of Ishpeming, 2 sisters-in-law – Elaine Rice of Ishpeming and Karen Rice of Negaunee, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Gunnard Pelto in 2003, a sister Marion Maki and 3 brothers – Richard, Donald and Lowell Rice.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Monday May 21, 2007 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Lari O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Bethel Lutheran Church from 11:00am until 1:00pm on Monday.

Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Marquette-Alger R.E.S.A. at 321 E. Ohio St., Marquette, MI 49855.