Rhoda Marie Kinney

Rhoda Marie (Sackett) Kinney, 87, of Traverse City, Michigan, went peacefully into the presence of her Heavenly Father Monday, January 15, 2018. Rhoda was born September 17, 1930 to Henry and Georgia (Baker) Sackett on the family farm on Silver Lake, Traverse City MI. She married the late Clinton E. Kinney on October 23, 1946.
A woman known for her Christian Faith, hospitality, strong work ethic, character and generosity, she will be greatly missed by many. The home Rhoda created with Clint and her children was located on Silver Lake. She enthusiastically enjoyed all four seasons; boating, swimming, water-skiing, figure skating, tobogganing and sharing the same with her children and grandchildren. She patiently taught her three very young daughters to 'hold your own part" and harmonize. Clint and Rhoda enjoyed traveling with family and friends, especially the western United States and Canada. For the last several decades, they spent the winter months on North Hutchinson Island, Florida.
Rhoda is survived by her children Cinda and Kit Simmons, Bill Tester, Jeannie and Jerry Mitchell and Lon and Diane Kinney, all of Traverse City. She was beloved grandmother, Gram, to Michael and Jennifer Tester, Shelley and Jason VanBrocklin, Tracey and Tim Steenbergh, Sarah and Aaron Estelle, Todd and Katie Tester, Jodi Cole, Aaron and Jana Simmons, Jenney and Todd Conner, Jessica and Jon Torbet, and Matthew and Katie Kinney. She was proud great-grandmother, GiGi, adored by Brooke, Gabrielle and Lauren Tester; Kelby, Kate and Claire VanBrocklin; Jackson, Abdi, Molley and Lincoln Steenbergh; Tillman, Elonica and Traeton Tester; Judah Cole; Angela, Amanda and Alaina Simmons; Boston, Mya and Dominick Conner; Isaac, Noah and Emma Torbet; Myles and Chase Kinney. She is also survived by her sister, Arlene Beeman and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Rhoda was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Clint, on January 14, 2014, her parents, her brother, Archie Groesser and her daughter, Karen 'Kay' Tester, on November 19, 2017.

Visitation for family and friends will take place Thursday, January 18 from 10 am until 12 noon at The Journey , 2825 S. Airport Rd., Traverse City. The service celebrating Rhoda's life will begin immediately following the visitation at 12 noon. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens in the spring, with the date and time to be established.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Rhoda's name to WLJN Radio, P. O. Box 1408, Traverse City 49685-1408 ( www.wljn.com ) the Webber Heart Center or the Cowell Cancer Center in care of Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 ( www.munsonhealthcare.org/foundation ) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105 ( www.stjude.org ) Grace Baptist Church, 1285 43rd St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.