Obituary of Maxine Rhodes

Wilma “Maxine” Rhodes Maxine was born August 1, 1930 in Miami, Oklahoma to Delbert and Sue Wagner. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas with her siblings Carol, Deb, and Joy. At age 11, while playing on a teeter-totter with her friend, Alice, Maxine heard about Jesus for the first time. The next day she went to church with Alice and accepted Jesus as her savior. The pastor then came to visit Maxine’s parents in their home and led them both to the Lord as well. Several years later, her father went on to become a minister and over the years so many lives were changed because of her decision to follow Jesus. When Maxine was 15, she met Leslie, the love of her life. Three weeks after they met, the two eloped and began their 61 year adventure together! When they were first married, Maxine brought Leslie to revival meetings where he also accepted Christ and shortly after, he felt God calling him into ministry. Seven years later, Leslie and Maxine both graduated from Kansas City Bible College and began their lifelong ministry together. Maxine was an amazing, Godly woman who served the Lord as a minister’s wife for over 45 years. She was an incredible partner in ministry with Leslie. She was a warm and welcoming pastor’s wife for 25 years, and was all-in supportive when Leslie felt God’s call to be an evangelist, even though that meant a lot of time apart as he traveled and she held up things on the home front. Through the years she spoke at many women’s gatherings and they sang a lot together. Maxine was an incredible prayer warrior and woman of faith. So many lives were changed because of her decision to follow Jesus. Maxine was also such a loving and devoted mom to their three children Dan, Bob and Becky. She was always very encouraging and supportive. She lived out her faith in front of them and showed them what Jesus looks like in everyday life. She was authentic. And all three of their lives were shaped because of her decision to follow Jesus. And later came the grandchildren—and then the greats! Oh how she loved them all! She loved to spend time with them, play with them, talk with them, and oh how she prayed for them. And each of their lives have been shaped because of her decision to follow Jesus. Maxine will be so greatly missed, but a part of her will live on in everyone whose life she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leslie, who has been patiently waiting for her arrival in heaven for 15 years, and her dear great-granddaughter Sammie Caflisch. She is survived by her children, Dan Rhodes and wife Susan, Bob Rhodes and wife Brenda, and Becky Qualls and husband Mike; and 23 grandchildren; Christy Schultz and husband Rick, Shelly Gibson and husband Jason, Marc Rhodes and wife Carly, Paul Rhodes and wife Stacey, Eric Rhodes and wife Grace, Autumn Sands and husband Ricky, Jake Rhodes and wife Katie, Caleb Rhodes, Toby Johnston and wife Melissa, Zeke Johnston and wife Kaitlyn, Taylor Qualls and wife Ashley, and Tanner Qualls and wife Keely. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren; Lizzie Caflisch, Trenton and Cohl Schultz, Bella, AJ, and Julia Arriola, Eric and Jamie Gibson, Jayce and Kinley Rhodes, Erica and Elon Rhodes, Finn and Charlie Sands, Violet Rhodes, Keaton and Maddux Johnston, and Taylor Clouse. Maxine was always making people feel welcome and loved. She loved to spend time and talk with her family and friends, sing hymns and music from the 40s, spend time outside on her porch, and make sure everyone was well fed! She loved Jesus, her husband, and her family, and she lived to serve them all. Her life will forever be celebrated! Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Sammie's Sunshine. The family will receive visitors from 6 pm to 8 pm on Sunday July 18, 2021 at Konantz Warden Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday July 19, 2021 at 11 am at Konantz Warden Funeral Home.