Imogene Dorothy Hodges
February 24, 1921 — April 2, 2015
Imogene Dorothy Hodges was born February 24, 1921, in Tracy, Iowa, the daughter of Ransom and Minnie (Culver) Hogate.
She was raised and attended school in Tracy. After high school she lived in California with several of her sisters, and on return to Iowa worked at the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny, Iowa, during WWII. In 1942 Imogene joined the Rebekah Lodge of which she remained a member until her death. On May 17, 1946, she was united in marriage to William (Bill) Forrest Hodges. The couple resided in the Knoxville area the majority of their lives together. Throughout the years they raised horses and cattle, were avid members of the Marion County Saddle Club, and owned and operated Beard Coal Company. During this time they purchased a piece of land east of Knoxville, known as Yankee Hollow. Her husband, Bill, passed away November 20, 1978. After his death, she continued to raise cattle and farm the land at Yankee Hollow. Imogene, along with the rest of the family, gradually relocated to Yankee Hollow, where she spent the days watching her great grandchildren grow up.
In her spare time, Imogene enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Most important to her were all of the children that crossed her path over the years, which not only included family, but the countless friends of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a grandmother to all, and her mission was to keep the kids happy, entertained, with stomachs full. She thoroughly enjoyed taking the kids camping and trail riding at Yankee Hollow, as well as Roberts Creek and Stephen’s Forest.
Imogene passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2015, at home at Yankee Hollow, holding the hands of her daughter, Billie, and granddaughter, Gina.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Forrest, two infant sons, four sisters (Alice, June, Ethel, Thelma), two brothers (Dwight & Ellsworth), daughter-in-law (Darlene), and one grandson (William Forrest II).
Those left to cherish Imogene’s memory include: son Larry; daughter Billie (Kevin) Wahl; grandchildren Lori Hodges, Candy (Brandon) Wilson, Gina (Ron) Crabtree, Chelsea (Jason) Smith, Alex (Kim) Wahl; great grandchildren Brian Coady & Ross Clarke, Abby (Mike) Rector, Nolan Wilson, Zachary Crabtree, S. Reed Long, and Hannah, Titus & Corbin Smith; and one great, great, granddaughter Stella; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Imogene Hodges, age 94, will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at 5:30pm at the Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum with food and beverages provided. Prayer and shared memories will begin at 6:00 p.m. Imogene’s cremains will be laid to rest at a later date, alongside her late husband, Bill, during a private family burial at Bellefountaine Cemetery in Tracy, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or the Pony Express Riders of Iowa – Marion County Chapter.
She was raised and attended school in Tracy. After high school she lived in California with several of her sisters, and on return to Iowa worked at the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny, Iowa, during WWII. In 1942 Imogene joined the Rebekah Lodge of which she remained a member until her death. On May 17, 1946, she was united in marriage to William (Bill) Forrest Hodges. The couple resided in the Knoxville area the majority of their lives together. Throughout the years they raised horses and cattle, were avid members of the Marion County Saddle Club, and owned and operated Beard Coal Company. During this time they purchased a piece of land east of Knoxville, known as Yankee Hollow. Her husband, Bill, passed away November 20, 1978. After his death, she continued to raise cattle and farm the land at Yankee Hollow. Imogene, along with the rest of the family, gradually relocated to Yankee Hollow, where she spent the days watching her great grandchildren grow up.
In her spare time, Imogene enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Most important to her were all of the children that crossed her path over the years, which not only included family, but the countless friends of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a grandmother to all, and her mission was to keep the kids happy, entertained, with stomachs full. She thoroughly enjoyed taking the kids camping and trail riding at Yankee Hollow, as well as Roberts Creek and Stephen’s Forest.
Imogene passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2015, at home at Yankee Hollow, holding the hands of her daughter, Billie, and granddaughter, Gina.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Forrest, two infant sons, four sisters (Alice, June, Ethel, Thelma), two brothers (Dwight & Ellsworth), daughter-in-law (Darlene), and one grandson (William Forrest II).
Those left to cherish Imogene’s memory include: son Larry; daughter Billie (Kevin) Wahl; grandchildren Lori Hodges, Candy (Brandon) Wilson, Gina (Ron) Crabtree, Chelsea (Jason) Smith, Alex (Kim) Wahl; great grandchildren Brian Coady & Ross Clarke, Abby (Mike) Rector, Nolan Wilson, Zachary Crabtree, S. Reed Long, and Hannah, Titus & Corbin Smith; and one great, great, granddaughter Stella; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Imogene Hodges, age 94, will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at 5:30pm at the Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum with food and beverages provided. Prayer and shared memories will begin at 6:00 p.m. Imogene’s cremains will be laid to rest at a later date, alongside her late husband, Bill, during a private family burial at Bellefountaine Cemetery in Tracy, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or the Pony Express Riders of Iowa – Marion County Chapter.
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Celebration of Life
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Starts at 5:30 pm (Central time)
