Steven B Hodge

Celebration of Life Services for Steve Hodge will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Linda Knipping officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Steven Bruce Hodge, 65 years of age, of Loveland, Colorado, (formerly of Holdrege), passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Banner McKee Medical Center in Loveland. Steve was born at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege on February 23, 1952. He was the second child born to William Holly Hodge, Jr. and Geraldine (Mitchell) Hodge, and was raised on the family farm two miles west of Holdrege. He received his primary education at R-7 through the eighth grade, and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1970.

As a young man, Steve was baptized and became a member of the First Baptist Church in Holdrege. Throughout his lifetime, he attended the Trinity Evangelical Free Churches in Holdrege, Kearney, and Loveland.

His passion for music became a reality in high school, when he first started performing in a rock band. In the years to come, he played in several bands around the country, probably the most notable being Monte Carlo. His family recalls many fascinating stories from his travels to numerous cities across the country playing keyboard. Steve also signed up with a cruise ship and performed a couple of seasons with them.

After his years on the road, Steve came back to Holdrege, and worked at Allmand Brothers. He later moved to Kearney, and gave piano lessons for a local music store. He was very involved in ministry at this time, and went on a mission trip to Venezuela and also the west coast. He later moved to Colorado, working several jobs there over the years. Lately, Steve has been a gentleman farmer, returning to Nebraska to visit Joyce several times a year, and check on his land and crops.

Steve's pastimes include, but not limited to, traveling around the world, reading, doing research, talking about almost any subject, building computers, following Husker football and basketball, and the Denver Broncos.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.

Steve leaves to mourn his passing; his sister, Joyce Burkholder and her husband, John Sr.; his brother, James Hodge and his wife, Sally, all of Holdrege; and step-mother, Virginia Hodge of York, Nebraska. He is also survived by step-sisters: Cheryl Johnson and Joy Houchin and her husband, Wayne; step-brothers: Steve Lindersmith and his wife, Diana, and Roger Lindersmith and his wife, Linda. Steve was especially close to his nephews: John Jr. and his wife, Lisa; Jason; and Jared and his wife, Sheri, and all of their children. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends across the country.

As a friend of Steve's recently said, "I got the best of Hodgeman, and for that I am thankful. He was one of a kind and a lot funnier than myself." These words are so true for all that knew him.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing as the family has honored Steve's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Steve's honor, and kindly suggested to the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

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