Woman enjoys own funeral

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. -- The funeral included a magician doing card tricks and an organist playing Broadway tunes. And the woman who was being remembered enjoyed it all.

After she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in January, Rosemary Rhoades of Prairie Village decided to plan her own funeral -- and attend.

Rhoades and her family and friends gathered Wednesday at the Village Presbyterian Church to throw a "celebration of life" for her.

Rhoades, who said she loves to throw parties, said she didn't want an event held in her honor after she dies.

"I go to funerals, and I would hear all these beautiful things" said to a dead body, Rhoades said. "What a shame they couldn't be there."

She said Wednesday's event also was a way for her to show her appreciation for her friends.

Knowing that she likely does not have long to live, Rhoades said, "God has given me this opportunity, and I am so grateful for that."

Family and friends were not surprised about Rhoades' event.

"It's her personality," said Roger Doeren, one of her sons, who said his optimistic mother wanted to leave life on a positive note.

And although the celebration did suggest that Rhoades' death is imminent, he said, it allowed her to live her life to the fullest.

Some of those at the event speculated that it might start a trend among Rhoades' friends.

"As you get older you realize you aren't going to be here longer," said Aggie Stackhaus, a friend of Rhoades. "Isn't it better to see your friend now? When I'm gone, I don't want someone gawking at me."

Doctors had expected Rhoades to live only until May. She said she still hopes to overcome her cancer but knows she's lived a good life.

"It's important that I leave love behind, fun and laughter," she said. "I think that's what God wants us to be. To be happy."