Hilda M. Hodge

Hilda M. Hodge, 99, formerly of Mason City, died Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 6, 2014, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, with Rev. Keith Scott officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City. Interment will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Hilda Mathilda Nuehring Vanderhoef Hodge was born February 3, 1915 in rural Klemme, Iowa, the daughter of William and Ida (Schwichtenburg) Nuehring. She attended the country school in Rockwell, Iowa. On April 10, 1933, Hilda was united in marriage to Floyd Orville Vanderhoef. Floyd passed away April 16, 1966. To this union were born two daughters: Darlene Kuhlers, Betty Scharnhorst and an infant son, deceased at birth. Hilda was united in marriage to Willis Earl Hodge on March 15, 1968 who later died on January 8, 1969. Hilda was a hard worker who helped on the farm with the milking, thrashing, gardening as well as making delicious homemade meals for all. After Hilda moved off the farm, she worked at the Charles City hospital and Ray’s Pizza Kitchen. She survived the tornado that came through the city and sat upstairs waiting for it to “blow over”. Hilda moved to Mason City to be closer to her siblings. She was employed by Flowers To Go and later worked at Mercy Hospital for many years retiring in 1981. She enjoyed working with her flowers, gardening, music, nature and reading. She always had a package of M&M’s for her grandchildren and friends visiting. Hilda moved to Waverly to the Bartels Assisted Living in 2008 and received wonderful care. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City since 1981. Those grateful in sharing Hilda’s life are her children: Darlene Kuhlers, West Union, IA; and Betty (Lloyd) Scharnhorst, Tripoli, IA; grandchildren: Debra (Thomas) Luhman, Douglas Kuhlers, Dennis (Pat) Kuhlers, Delmar (Jane) Kuhlers, Rebecca (Jon) Sieve, Rodney (Lynn) Girkin, Laure (Michael) Meyer, and Kathy (Scott) Fish. 19 great-grandchildren: Amber Keppler, Adam Luhman, Measa Tomforde, Megan Hintz, Steven Kuhlers, Stefanie Kuhlers, Brianna Kuhlers, Bryce Kuhlers, Brent Kuhlers, Olivia Sieve, Hannah Sanders, Sarah Girkin, Daniel Girkin, Kelsey Fish, Jaclyn Fish, Kaleigh Ganske, Alyssa Meyer, Lindsey Meyer and Brandon Meyer; 8 great great grandchildren: Ava, Isabel and Jackson Keppler, Cael Luhman, Hadlee Sabers, Mason Kuhlers, Noah and Madelyn Sanders; many nieces, nephews and other relatives, including a special cousin, Charlotte Ring. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, infant son, grandson Steve Girkin, son-in-law Duane Kuhlers, 3 brothers: Alvin, Elmer, and Lester Nuehring, 4 sisters: Elsie Peterson, Irene Stowe, Janet Angell, and Evelyn Johnson.