Yvonne Renee Rhoades, of Brownsburg, IN passed away April 25, 2024 at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis due to complications from her battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Yvonne was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota to Gordon and Doris Johnson on March 14, 1958. She was born shortly after midnight, following her twin sister Mary. In her teen years her family settled in Sparta, WI. After graduating high school in 1978, she joined the Army Reserves and spent much of her time in the finance department. The Army Reserves took her to Indiana, Maryland, and back to Wisconsin. It was there she met her husband, James (Jim) Rhoades and they married in 1986. Jim was enlisted in the Army and their life took them to Minnesota, Hawaii, Iowa and ultimately Hagerstown, Indiana until retirement and beyond. In Indiana, Yvonne took a position with Purdue University - Richmond, where she worked for 25 years until her retirement.

In her free time, she often enjoyed home improvement projects, refinishing furniture, and shopping for home decor. She spent many hours gardening and visited many nurseries around Indiana. Both Jim and Yvonne were always willing to take in stray cats and had many over the years to live a good life at the "cat ranch". She was incredibly kind and generous and would give her time and efforts to helping others.

She adored her five grandchildren and spent countless hours playing, coloring, reading, and spoiling them. She made special days out of ordinary ones even if it meant just running errands and always had a knack for keeping the kids entertained with anything she had on hand.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Doris Johnson, husband Jim Rhoades, infant son Christopher Hayes, infant daughter Alyssa Rhoades, son Patrick Hayes, and brother in law Michael Oswald. Her sister Judy Johnson sadly also passed away April 29, 2024.

She is survived by her daughter Nicole (Chris) Hilton, daughter in law Abbi Surles, grandchildren: Beckett Allen, Addison Allen, Lincoln Hilton, Sydney Hilton and Reggie Hayes; her siblings: Chris (Diane) Johnson, Richard (Nancey) Johnson, Mary Oswald, Caryn Johnson (Carl Friedel); and many beloved nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her seven cats who loved her greatly.

A memorial service will be held on May 19, 2024 at the Royal Run Neighborhood Clubhouse: 6514 Royal Run Blvd, Zionsville, IN 46077. Friends and family may visit starting at 1pm, with a service to begin at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of her love for animals can be made to the Hendricks County Humane Society, 3033 E Main St. Danville, IN 46122. 

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