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Helma Rhoades was laid to rest on January 9, 2026, beside her husband Ralph Rhoades at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro, DE.
Helma was born in Bremen, Germany on October 11, 1939. She was the daughter of Hermann Stephan and Hildegart Herta Blome. Helma attended and graduated from Bremen Business school after her 3-year apprentice completion with an associate degree. She worked for over 25 years in the banking industry in Germany and the United States. Helma retired from Bank of America in October 1999 as an Assistant Vice President. On December 13, 2016, Helma celebrated her 50th anniversary of being a US citizen. She was naturalized in Washington, DC at the Supreme Court.
In addition to her parents, Helma was preceded in death by the love of her life of 53 years Ralph L Rhoades in December 2012 and her brother Manfred Blome in October 2016.
Helma is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Jeff Townsend, Sr, a son and daughter-in-law Wayne and Julie Rhoades along with grandchildren Lauren and Lindsay Townsend, Ryan Rhoades, and step grandson, Jeff and Lindsey Townsend, Jr and their children. Also, her sister-in-law Helga Blome and her nephew Andreas Blome of Germany.
Burial was private.
