Rhoda Grewe

Rhoda Elizabeth Schmidt Grewe, after a brief illness, followed her beloved Ed to heaven on November 19, 2009. She was 78 years old. She was born to Gertrude Rische Schmidt and Rev. George Schmidt in Jackson, Mississippi on June 14, 1931, the second of five children. As a toddler, she moved to New Orleans, LA where she lived until moving to Williamsburg, VA nine years ago. She was baptized on July 5, 1931, confirmed her faith on May 9, 1943 and lived her faith until the day she died. She received her teaching degree from Newcomb College and began teaching at Bethlehem-Christ Lutheran School in New Orleans, LA where she met Edwin A. Grewe. They married on August 1, 1954. They had two children, Melvin (Kim) Grewe and Jeane (David) Gillespie. Kristen Gillespie Wilson, Joel Gillespie, Sarah Grewe and Gabe Grewe are their grandchildren. Rhoda was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, George Schmidt and David Schmidt and 72 days ago, her beloved Ed. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and sisters Lois Bomba, Natalie Fulton and Anna Schmidt. Rhoda exemplified the word helpmate as she was Ed’s right hand throughout his career with Lutheran Social Services of the South. She taught for several years before starting her family. She returned to teaching at St. Paul-First English Lutheran School in New Orleans where she taught a multitude of first graders reading, writing and arithmetic. She taught a larger multitude of children to love Jesus as she taught Sunday school for fifty years, most of it at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in New Orleans. When Ed managed Peace Lake Towers, she became his administrative assistant. A few years after their retirement, they moved to Williamsburg to be closer to their children. They joined King of Glory Lutheran Church where they quickly became a part of this loving family. Rhoda uplifted all of her family and friends with her greeting card ministry and constantly kept them in prayer. A funeral service was held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 12:30 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Rd., conducted by Rev. Bill Harmon. Her body joined Ed’s in Minnesota at an interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Bartlett Twp. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Williamsburg Area Faith in Action, 354 McLaws Cir, Ste. 2, Williamsburg, VA 23185. www.wfia.org

Rhoda Grewe

June 14, 1931 - November 19, 2009