Donald Charles Hodge

HODGE Donald Charles Hodge, 89, of Austin, MN passed away peacefully on December 2, 2016 at his home. Donald was born March 20, 1927 in Dodge Center, MN to Fred and Esther (Northway) Hodge. Donald was a graduate of Dodge Center High School. Donald worked at Elk River/CRETEX, Inc. at the Austin facility, driving truck, delivering concrete and plastic pipe throughout the United States. Donald was proud of the fact that he never missed a day of work in 43 years. On November 6, 1947, Donald married Margaret Engel at the Methodist Church in Stewartville. He and Margaret were members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin. Donald kept himself busy during his retirement repairing small engines, welding, building whirligigs, bird houses, doll houses, model airplanes, model boats, jewelry cabinets and lawn ornaments out of his garage. He also enjoyed playing cards, dancing, shooting a game of pool or spending endless days in his boat fishing on the Mississippi River and Mille Lacs Lake, catching some of the biggest fish or telling some of the biggest fish stories. Donald is survived by his children, David (Valerie) Hodge of Hayden, ID, Kathleen (Ken) Kelly of Lincoln, NE, James (Patricia) Hodge of La Mesa, CA, Linda (Kent) Dudek of Chatfield, MN, Joyce (Mike) Deyo of Apple Valley, MN and Susan Hodge of Austin, MN; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and sister, Cora Day of Rochester, MN. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; brothers, Ervin, Roy, Floyd and Chester and sisters, Francis, Betty, Opal and Marcella. A funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 802 4th St. SW, Austin, MN 55912 with The Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Clasen-Jordan Funeral Home, 209 2nd Ave NW, Austin, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN. Arrangements entrusted to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, Rochester, MN. To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com