Mary Jo Rode

On November 1, 2025, at 89 years of age, Mary Jo, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side. She was born March 21, 1936, in Baker, Oregon. After her birth, her parents rode the train from Baker down Snake River Rd, to their home where her father ranched on the Snake River. As a young child, the family moved to Richland and Halfway Oregon and later to Baker. She graduated from Baker High School and then attended the University of Oregon. It was quite a time during football season when Mom was rooting on the Ducks and her husband Roger rooting for the Beavers where he attended school.

Mary Jo was an accomplished pianist, having played from the time she was 6 years old. Before moving to Baker when she was in Junior High School, she would ride the bus weekly, by herself from Halfway or Richland to Baker for her weekly lessons at St. Francis Academy. She could really make those keys sing. We had quite a time singing and dancing along to her playing oldies and all the favorite Christmas tunes.

She taught all her children to play cribbage at an early age. We think it was for someone to play with, but it also helped the three of us learn to add and count.

Cribbage wasn't necessarily her card game of choice. She loved playing duplicate bridge and achieved Ruby Life Master status. In July 2016, she and her duplicate partner scored an 83.19 percent game, the highest percent game ever scored at the Ontario Bridge Club.

She was quite a competitive athlete as well. She loved playing golf and won many city club championships in Baker, Weiser, and Ontario. (More than we can count.) In addition, she proudly owns three Holes in One. Quite a feat in itself. She had her kids out learning to play golf by the time we all reached about 7 years old.

When not on the golf course, Mom enjoyed riding motorcycles, swimming and waterskiing at the cabin on Brownlee Reservoir. Mom could salalom ski with the best of them.

One of the most fun times we all remember is Mom pulling us behind her gas-powered golf cart on sleds and skis in winter around our Baker neighborhood singing "Jingle Bells in a golf cart covered with hay" instead of a one-horse open sleigh. When spring arrived, it was time to hunt morels. Mom always made sure the three of us were able to experience as much as life had to offer; golf, cards, water and snow skiing, baton, ballet, piano, gymnastics and violin lessons, but baseball, football and whatever other sports we were involved in. She never missed a recital or sporting event. Thank you for those wonderful opportunities and memories, Mom.

While Mom was always deeply involved with her family, she garnered many friendships and worked hard for a successful career in real estate. To us, she was and is still our Super Mom. She was a fighter in every sense of the word, and we thank her for giving us the strength to embrace life with passion, courage and love. Thank you, Mom, for your unwavering love and the countless sacrifices you made for our family.

She is survived by daughters, Ronda, Renee Sweet (Tom), and son, Scott. She also leaves behind grandchildren, Misty Gonzales (Javi), Mindy Tharp (Cam), Raquel Bennett, (Koby), and Thomas J Sweet, Great Grandchildren, Jamis, Alina, and Zavion Gonzales; Mac and Tatum Tharp; Teyla, Tinlee and Tyce Bennett. 

She is preceded in death by her mother and sister whom she lost in a car accident when Mom was only 16, her father, and her loving husband and best friend, Roger, after 67 years of marriage. A special thanks to Aislyn, Aly and Leah, (care givers) Heart and Home Hospice, the staff at Davita in Ontario, Malheur Transportation, Winnie Henggler, her special bridge partner, and the entire Ontario Bridge Club for your support and friendship. We are also very much appreciative of her thoughtful and wonderful friends, Bev and Lonnie Church, John Gambino, Kim and Steve Mendiola and Stephen Crow for his delicious homemade pies made especially for Mom. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  

From All of Her Grandchildren: Grandma Joie was the heart of every adventure and the biggest fan in every crowd. She taught us to golf, (ensuring all divots and green repairs were correctly done) play the piano, spent countless hours playing cards and bowling with us. She was always there cheering us on in sports. She had a sassy, mischievous spark that made everything more fun - you never quite knew what she'd say next, but it always came with a twinkle in her eye. Some of our best memories were made on trips to the coast, water skiing on summer days, and floating down the Snake River - laughing, exploring, and being together. She showed us how to live with joy, curiosity, and love, and we'll carry that lesson with us forever.

Like Dad, she was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone who really knew her. We love you and miss you terribly.  DDALAWI

A Service with family and friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House-Boise, online at: https:// www.rmhcidaho.org.and dedicated in memory of Mary Jo Rode.

Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser, Idaho. www.altogetherfuneral.com/funeral-cremation/idaho/weiser/thomason-funeral-home-crematory/