Earl L. Rhode, 96, of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, passed away May 6, 2025 at Agrace Hospice.  He was born April 11, 1929, the second of 3 children born to Lester and Mildred Rhode. 

He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Pardeeville, where he met the love of his life, Carol Kaiser, soon to be Carol Rhode.  They were married on Valentines Day 1953 and were blessed with 2 sons, Randy and Tim, who they raised in a succession of homes in Milwaukee, Brookfield and Sun Prairie before returning to Pardeeville, which dad considered not only home, but the center of the universe.  They also spent many happy winters in Naples, Florida.

Dad’s early career was as a medical supply salesman.  In 1965, with no background in real estate, he took a gamble and successfully bid on Turtle Island Camp which was being auctioned off by Volunteers of America.  He had to borrow from family and friends to close the deal and went on to develop Turtle Island Subdivision encompassing most of the north shore of Park Lake.  This allowed him to create a career as a successful real estate developer.  

Dad loved people in general, telling a story (or 2), gambling, hunting, scrounging for and collecting old cars, especially Corvettes, working outdoors, and local geography and history.  Indeed, in his 80’s he wrote “The Little River That Could”, a book about the Fox River.  Most of all, dad loved his family.

He was always willing to take risks, whether it be real estate or cars, which worked out; the commodity market, which didn’t; and even once buying an old house in Plainfield because his research convinced him there was gold buried in the backyard.  There wasn’t…  

He was a long-time member of Sun Prairie Golf Course and Lions Club as well as the Pardeeville Curling Club.  He was very supportive of both communities throughout his life.  Dad lived a very full and exceptional life.  He and mom were a wonderful team and lived life with few regrets.  Neither will be forgotten.

Earl is survived by his two sons, Randall (Bridget) and Tim (Kim); as well as grandchildren Tara, Megan (Andy), Doug, Nick (Isabel), Hallie, Heather; and two great-grandsons, Henrik and Rody; as well as his in-laws Wayne (JoAnn) Kaiser, Sharon Kanas and Rick Ruenzel and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol, in 2021 and his life was never the same.  He was further preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Merwin Rhode and Betty Smith; many in-laws, and most of his many friends.

A very special thanks to Heritage House Assisted Living in Portage, WI, where dad lived for the past 18 months.  Every member of the staff was phenomenal and became like family.  Thanks also to Agrace for their wonderful care.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Church in Pardeeville. A visitation will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Grasse Funeral Home in Pardeeville and Saturday, May 24 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at Church. Interment will be held at the Pardeeville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace or a charity of your choice.