Bernard Lee Hodge

Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard L. Hodge will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with military rites provided by the Martin Horn American Legion Post # 66 in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Bernard Lee "Bernie" Hodge, 83 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Country House Residence of Kearney. Bernard was born on July 19, 1932, in Harlan County, Nebraska, the youngest of four children born to Lee Harrison and Mabel Engleberg (Carlson) Hodge. He received his education from Alma Public School and graduated with the class of 1951.

Bernard was inducted into the United States Army on November 18, 1952. He was honorably discharged November 17, 1954 at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas and served in the Army Reserves for several years.

On August 26, 1957, Bernard was united in marriage to Marilyn Pond in Norton, Kansas. To this union four children were born: Jeffrey Lee, Janell Ann, Kevin Gerald and Angela Marie. The family made their home in Colorado for a few years, moved to Holdrege later on and then settled on the Hodge family farm. Bernard and Marilyn retired in Holdrege in 1989.

In 1998, Bernard and Marilyn were honored by the Harlan County FCE Council as the, "Great Nebraska Family".

Bernard was an avid farmer and enjoyed driving the countryside. He enjoyed dancing, especially the Waltzes and Polkas, listening to the Lawrence Welk Show, playing cards, camping, traveling and spending time with his family. He was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, was active in 4-H and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Besides his parents, Bernard was preceded in death by step-father, Robert Ott; two sisters, Lurine Richards and her husband Oliver and Delilah Lauer; brother, Harold Hodge; two brothers-in-law, Keith Pond and his wife, Mary and Lyle Pond and sister-in-law, Shirley Pond.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Marilyn Hodge of Holdrege; his children: Jeff Hodge of Orleans; Janell Peterson and her husband, John of Sioux City, Iowa, Kevin Hodge and his wife, Dianne of Orleans, Nebraska and Angie Honkomp and her husband, Jay of Treynor, Iowa; four grandchildren: Tyler and Rachel Peterson and Emry and Eli Honkomp; three brothers-in-law, Dale Pond, Don Pond and Melvin Lauer; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Bernard's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.