GREENWOOD
Rhoda Johnson, 88, of Greenwood, passed away on Feb. 5, 2023. She was born on Feb. 24, 1934 in Clay County, Kentucky to the late Dillard and Maggie Wittymore.
Rhoda will be greatly missed by her husband Richard Johnson, her sister Marie Oberle, her daughter Carla Ewell, son Paul Piepenbrok, her stepdaughters, Kim Brown (Jody), Susan Mehas and stepson Andy Johnson (Alice), grandchildren, Chris Piepenbrok, Courtney Hayward, Kaitlyn McDonald, Tanner Piepenbrok, Chad Piepenbrok, Lindsey Piepenbrok, Travis Piepenbrok, Leslie Dunfee, Kelly Holmes, Lindsey Woodward, Haley Pitts and Ian Johnson and great grandchildren, Carter Hayward, Kendall Hayward, Turner McDonald, Cooper Dunfee, Emerie Dunfee, Nora Holmes and Leland Holmes and daughters-in-law Kristi Piepenbrok and Jeannie Piepenbrok.
She is preceded in death by her sister Helen Friel and sons Chris Piepenbrok and Thomas Piepenbrok.
Rhoda attended Richmond High School and Ball State University. She worked in retail sales where she met and later married Walter Piepenbrok, who passed away Feb. 11, 1992. She had a successful career as a real estate broker from 1986 – 2003 working at Graves and Tomlin realty companies.
She was a member of the Indiana State Symphony Society, South Group Women’s Committee, and served as President from 1972 – 1974. She was involved in fundraising for the education program for musicians and co-chaired the Maurer Musician Contest from 2007 – 2011. Rhoda also participated in Symphony in Color, a Children’s Art Program.
She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and served as the church’s first woman president. Rhoda was also a member of the south side bridge group since 1965.
Rhoda cherished her family and her many dear friends. Her hobbies included cooking, travel gardening, bible studies and playing bridge. She was generous, inquisitive, loved to laugh and always maintained a positive attitude.
A celebration of Rhoda’s life will be held at Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 7031 S East Street, Indpls, IN 46227, on Feb. 18. Visitation is 11 am – 1 pm prior to the memorial service at 1 pm. She will be laid to rest at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. John’s United Church of Christ with a memo to the Piepenbrok Fund. Alternatively, contributions can be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Young Musicians Contest. Checks can be made payable to the Michael, Ben and Eileen Maurer Young Musicians Contest and mailed to: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 32 E. Washington St., Ste. 600, Indpls, In, 46204-2919.
