Tami Rhodes

Tamara Jo Rhodes came into this world on July 29th, 1957 and passed away surrounded by family and friends on Friday the 7th of October 2011. Tami was the third of seven children born to Jim Merritt and Vonda Merritt Orr. She grew up in the Idaho Falls area where she attended elementary, junior high, and graduated from Bonneville High School in 1975. She became a part of the Wilson family after meeting Janet in elementary school. During her high school years, she met her lifetime companion Steve Rhodes and on May 25, 1976 they were married. Tami and Steve made their home in the Star Valley area for seven years where their son Will was born. Later, they moved to the family homestead in the Bone area where they welcomed their second son, Adam and where they still reside. Tami graduated early from high school and went to floral school in Colorado. Upon completion, she went to work at Staker Floral for many years. It was a pleasure for her to help with every wedding, funeral, and home decorating whenever asked. She liked to sew, crochet, make porcelain dolls, and had recently started beading with a passion. She loved having and riding horses. In 1986, Tami and Steve started raising sheep in Bone and Atomic City. Tami enrolled in a sheep shearing class at Utah State University in April of 1989 where, being one of the 2 women enrolled, she beat all but one man in the sheep shearing contest for graduation. Tami enjoyed every opportunity she had to spend time with her grandchildren, Jade, Ty, and Emily. She was overjoyed to hear of a fourth one on the way in December. Tami and Steve worked tirelessly side by side at the ranch in Bone raising their boys, farming, raising sheep and enjoying the outdoors and especially each other. She is survived by her husband Steve , sons Will (Stacy) Rhodes, Adam(Misty) Rhodes, Mother Vonda Orr, sisters Nikki (Max) Herrell, Robin Merritt, Lisa (Tim) Aytes, brothers Layne (Michelle) Merritt, Mark Merritt and Dana Merritt, three grandchildren, as well as her second family the Wilsons. She was proceeded in death by her two fathers Jim Merritt and Lee Wilson and her in-laws Blaine and Lorene Rhodes. Tami’s last act of kindness and her final wish was to be an organ donor where she will help save the lives of several recipients. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 South Ammon Road). The family will visit with friends on Friday from 10 to10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Milo Cemetery.

Funeral Services -- Friday

Friday October 14, 2011 , 11:00 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side

The family will visit with friends from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to servics. Burial will be in Milo Cemetery.

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