Rhonda Sue Dahlgren

Our Friend Rhonda

Kind, generous with her time, full of energy, fun, hospitable, honest and genuine are but a few of the words friends would use to describe Rhonda.

Rhonda was born and raised in the Modesto area and was lucky to live her entire life among her friends and the community she loved.  Riding and showing horses were an important part of growing up for Rhonda. It helped develop her keen sense of responsibility, compassion and commitment. And she had a wall full of medals and ribbons displaying her success. Rhonda also thoroughly enjoyed her days as a cheerleader/song leader at Davis High School and Modesto Junior College. Her love of dance and performing would be reflected in her career and passions. And like many people early in their lives, Rhonda had many jobs while going to school,  most notably as a server at Dryers Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor and at The Vintage Restaurant. As a matter of fact, until she passed, Rhonda still had her cheerleading outfit and Farrell’s uniform.   

Rhonda ’s career took her on many adventures, always focused on service and the youth of our community. She had a positive impact and left a lasting impression wherever she worked.  She brought her creativity and insights to all of her jobs including Faily Planning,  SADD  (Students Against Driving Drunk), Friday Night Live, Teenwork and The Center for Human Services.  One of her recent highlights at The Center was helping to create the Random Food Project.  Under Rhonda’s direction, the students in this project gleaned fruit from the backyards of residents in our community, made it into jam and then sold it at the farmer’s market to raise funds for various projects and charities.  This endeavor was a perfect example of Rhonda’s willingness to take on a challenging and unfamiliar task and create a successful and meaningful experience for all involved.

 Rhonda was extremely excited when she was hired for a position at her alma mater, Davis High School. As director of Student Activities, she was definitely in her element. She shined brightly. While reviewing Rhonda’s life through the photographs and scrapbooks she saved, we found countless cards and pictures from students thanking her for being their friend and helping  prepare them for an exciting future.  She believed in them, and they knew it.

In 1981 Rhonda burst onto the scene with a new crazy franchise called Jazzercise. She was committed and determined to make a difference in the well-being of our community. For 42 years Rhonda “jazzercised”  Stanislaus County citizens, helping them with health issues while developing a community of friends and family along the way. She loved it and they loved her.

 Even after her recent retirement,  Rhonda continued to work with various state and county agencies, writing grants for funding to continue her passion of helping the community she lived in and loved. We cannot address the topic of health and wellness without discussing Rhonda’s own fight with breast cancer.  Just before her passing she was fighting her third battle with breast cancer which she was determined to win. Always the optimistic warrior.

As we all know Rhonda was a true lover of horses and cats, especially her tabby cats. Her friends would joke if any of us were to pass before Rhonda, we would want to comeback as one of her cats.

Rhonda was always looking for an adventure, and she never passed up a road trip to the ocean.  Carmel was her favorite place to visit to renew her spirit, to get some ocean air therapy and grab a bite of lunch,  or do some earring shopping.  And of course, no road trip would be complete without indulging in some delectable chocolate. But it had to be dark chocolate, the darker the better.  And if there was no chocolate on the menu, there was always a quick stop at a See’s Candy store on the way home for a Bordeaux or Scotch Mellow fix. 

We will miss you our dear friend.  You filled our hearts and lives with joy, laughter, corny puns, and love.  Wherever your adventure now leads you, we hope there is a  See’s Candy on the way.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.