Mary Ann Hodge

Mary Ann (Mills) Hodge 68 of Missoula, MT. Mary Ann went to live with her Lord on Wednesday May 27th, 2010 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor Nov 13th 2009. She was born June 9th 1941, to Arthur Mills and Francis Young in Franklin, MN. Mary Ann was called (Red) by her dad because of the beautiful red hair. She was active in 4-H and loved her lambs, and her family loved her fresh baked bread. Mary Ann accepted the Lord as her savior when she was eleven. After high school she attended Minnesota Bible College. Her desire was to be a missionary for God and to do His work. Mary Ann married Hardy Hodge on Nov 20th, 1964 in Rollins, WY. Little did she know that her missionary for God had begun. She now had seven children aging from six months to six years. She was a young twenty three year old mother who was dedicated and nurturing. Even if she had not given birth to us, she always treated us as if she had. She was a gift from God. Later she and dad had a daughter. Mary Ann returned to school and earned a degree in early childhood education while she juggled home, school, work and raised eight kids all at the same time. She used her degree to touch the lives of many children. She was a director for childcare centers in Waconia, MN, Thief River Falls, MN and FFA Child Care Center in Houston, TX. She was a director for Met Head Start in Liberty, Texas at the time of her diagnosis. Mother loved to fish and camp at many of the lakes that Minnesota had to offer, but she especially liked Buffalo Lake. She taught us to sew, cook, can, and to play the piano. Mother was our teacher of the Lord. If we could not get to church on a Sunday we had church in the dining room of our home in front of the piano. We were given bible verses to memorize and songs to sing. Mom will be remembered for her boisterous laugh, and how she said “Haaaardy” to dad when he had an off the wall comment. Mother co-wrote a published book Terrific Tips for Toddler Teachers. She acquired much recognition for her dedication to children’s education. Mary Ann touched many lives in her lifetime and brought many people to salvation just by acting like Jesus would. Mother taught Sunday school and Wednesday night Bible study at her church, Bethel Assembly of God in Cleveland, TX it may not have been the missionary work she dreamed of but it was what God had given her: and she did it well. Mary Ann was preceded in death by, her husband Hardy son Jerry and granddaughter Francesca. She is survived by daughters Jean Starr (Ralph) Missoula, MT; Judy Hodge (Alex) Courville Pablo, MT; Glynda Vollrath (Randy) Gencoe, MN; Ann Drevlow (Halen) Ironton, MN. Sons Ray (Trudy) Hodge Sheridan WY; Terry Hodge Cleveland TX; Ronnie (Cindy) Hodge Lancaster MN; Brother John Mills and sister-in-law Joanne Lake Crystal MN; Sister Barb Kiergaard Redwood Falls, MN. Sister Shirley Arendt and brother-in-law Bill Minneapolis MN. Mother had 27 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be held Friday, June 4, 2010 from 5pm-9pm at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home at 303 E. Crockett, Cleveland, TX. Service will be held at Saturday, June 5, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Assembly of God church at Hickory and Hwy 59 North in Cleveland, TX. Pastor Charles Wigley will be officiating. Burial will follow at Cleveland City Cemetery. Reception will follow at Bethel Assembly of God church. Pallbearers Johnny Hodge, Robert Hodge, Clyde Dominy, Al Andrew, Justin West, Gene Godkin. Honorary Pallbearers Thomas Owens, Scottie Owens, Tommy Owens, Aaron Loffler, John Michael Hodge. Memorials can be made to Bethel Assembly of God church.