Rhoda Thelen of Clarissa passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Alomere Health, Alexandria. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 12:00 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clarissa.    Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Clarissa will immediately follow the funeral service. 

Helen Rhoda Johnson (known by all as Rhoda), age 92, of Clarissa, Minnesota, passed away on June 15th, 2026. Born October 4, 1933, to Rudolph and Florence (Olson) Johnson at their family home on Lake Street in Alexandria, Minnesota, Rhoda lived a joyful, vibrant life marked by an ever-present smile, boundless energy, and remarkable resilience.

Rhoda was the beloved daughter in a close-knit family of five sisters and one brother. She grew up alongside Lois (Perry), Shirley (Stewart), Marilyn Yvonne (who passed at approximately 2½ years old), June (Hayer) and her youngest brother David Johnson. The siblings shared countless happy memories, especially summers at the family cabin on Lake Le Homme Dieu with their Swedish parents and Sunday gatherings at Grandpa Gust’s home “up on the hill.” Their household was filled with the warmth of Florence’s incredible cooking and baking—fresh fruit pies, homemade dinner rolls, and preserved foods for winter. Rhoda excelled in all these domestic arts, making them look effortless. She inherited her mother’s musical talents as well; Florence played the organ and piano by ear, and each of the girls took piano lessons, fostering a lifelong love of music. Rhoda particularly adored the songs of Doris Day, Julie Andrews, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. Many grandchildren fondly remember gathering around Florence to sing along, no sheet music required.

In 1941, the family joined Svea Lutheran Church (later Calvary Church). Rhoda’s father, Rudy, ran the third-largest fuel oil business in Alexandria, delivering fuel to homes and gas stations. During her senior year, she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Bongard. She also cherished memories of her basketball team’s trip to the State tournament in 10th or 11th grade. Rhoda attended 3 years at Moorhead State Teachers College and taught Kindergarten in Little Falls, Marshall, and St Paul, Minnesota. 

Rhoda’s first marriage was to George Olsen, an excellent dancer. Their meeting was memorable: he asked her to dance, dipped her dramatically, and sent her laughing onto the floor. Their shared love of music and dance lived on through their family. Together they had two children, Kurt Robert Olsen, a talented cartoonist and artist, and daughter Linda Marie Olsen, a successful entrepreneur in retail. In 1985 Rhoda worked full time for Linda at her daughter’s women’s accessory shop at Bandana Square, Chapeau Rouge, in St Paul and also at a 2nd location, The Red Hat, in St Anthony on Main in Minneapolis. Rhoda became a skilled saleswoman. She accompanied Linda to the Minneapolis Buying markets, and as an accomplished seamstress she manufactured hundreds of silk rosettes, scarves and bows for the stores.  Linda and Rhoda loved working as a team together. George and Rhoda were married for 14 years. Kurt preceded Rhoda in death at age 29, and George passed at age 62.

In 1996, at the age of 63, Rhoda met the love of her life and best friend, Vern Thelen. They married on May 8, 1998, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The couple made their home in Clarissa, Minnesota, and enjoyed winters in Alamo, Texas. They shared many happy years filled with creativity, activity, and community. Rhoda’s creative and talented spirit shone through her painting, keyboard, stained glass work, baking, and swimming. Vern enjoyed shuffleboard, woodworking, and golf. Together they loved playing card games with friends and crafting beautiful handmade gifts each year for their 39 grandchildren. 

Rhoda was a joyful presence who was always smiling, energetic, and never quitting. Her resilience in the face of life’s challenges inspired everyone around her. She approached every day with enthusiasm, creativity, and love, leaving a lasting legacy of warmth, talent, and family devotion.