Jim Hodge

A Mass for Jim Hodge will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, Holdrege, Nebraska, with Father Jay Buhman as Celebrant.  Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege, Nebraska.

William James "Jim" Hodge, 76 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jim was born on December 26, 1949, in Holdrege, the eldest of three children born to William "Holly" and Geraldine (Mitchell) Hodge. He attended his elementary years at R-7 School and then attended Holdrege High School, graduating with the class of 1968.  Jim then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating with a degree in Ag Economics in 1972.

While living in Lincoln, Jim met Sally Pekarek on a blind date. They were married on August 28, 1971, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ulysses, Nebraska. The couple were blessed with five children: William Timothy (Tim), Richard James (Rick), Michael Ray (Mike), Brett Joseph, and Kristin Sigrid. The family made their home west of Holdrege, where Jim farmed family ground in Phelps and Harlan counties for 48 years. Jim worked as a Broker at AgWest Commodities since 2005.  In his later years, he was considered a mentor for the younger brokers. After his retirement in 2021, Jim and Sally moved from the farm into Holdrege.

Jim was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, where he served on the Parish Council, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and also a member of the Eagles Club Arie #3132. He also served on the original Board of Directors of the South Central Corn Growers Organization, the Phelps County FSA Committee, and on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Wheat Board, where he was assigned to a 2-week wheat promotion visit to several  African Countries, in 1997. Jim was proud to have accepted the Nebraska Pioneer Family Farm Award for Harlan County in 2003, alongside his father Holly, and son, Tim.

Jim found great joy in helping his children groom and show 4-H cattle at the Phelps County Fair, the Nebraska State Fair, AK-SAR-BEN, and the Denver Stock Show. In recent years, he especially loved following his grandchildren as they began showing cattle themselves. Jim also loved attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and music performances. He enjoyed golfing with family and friends and, in his younger days, hunting pheasants and quail with a trusted hunting dog. Jim also had a well-known love for chocolate!

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Virginia Hodge; his in-laws, Ray and Lucille (Divis) Pekarek; his brother, Steve Hodge; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Janak.

Jim leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife of 54 years, Sally Hodge of Holdrege; his sons: Tim Hodge of Cleveland, Tennessee and his daughter, Reese of Holdrege; Rick and Nicole Hodge and their children, Graham and Vivian of Kearney, Missouri; Mike Hodge of Lincoln; Brett and Marisa Hodge and their children, Adley, Lexa, and Mac of Holdrege; his daughter, Kristin Hodge and fiancé, Chris Payne of Lincoln; sister, Joyce and John, Sr. Burkholder of Holdrege; brothers-in-law: George and Rose Pekarek of Staplehurst, Nebraska; Tom Pekarek of Utica, Nebraska; Don and Deb Pekarek of Malcolm, Nebraska; Joe Pekarek of Holdrege; Kenny and Angie Pekarek of Seward, Nebraska; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting.

The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are kindly suggested to All Saints Catholic School, All Saints Catholic Church, or the Phelps County 4-H Foundation.

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.