Clara Louise Reisch Hodge. Born November 17, 1933 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Passed March 21, 2021 in Mansfield, Texas. Her parents were Warren Alfred Reisch and Hilda Pauline Holtzmiller Reisch of Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Her siblings were John, Jackie, Warren, Susan, Joe, Frank, Carol and Billy Reisch. She married Lloyd John Hodge in Holton Kansas on August 4 1951. Her children were Lloyd Craig Hodge of Temple, Texas (who predeceased her); Steven Dale Hodge of Dublin, Texas; Cindy June Hodge Stormer and Ken of Gainesville, Texas; and Debra “Debbie” Louise Hodge Lay and Willard Wayne Lay of Mansfield, Texas.
Grandchildren: Tara Andrea Hodge, of Burleson, Joshua Hodge; Dustin Dale Hodge and wife Donna Souder Hodge of Colorado; Andrea Michelle Lay of Burleson; Kristen Alexandra Lay Moilan and husband Ryan of Tomball, Texas; Matt Cotter and wife Ella; Julia Stormer and husband Tomas Moreno.
Greatgrandchildren: Taylor Brooke Hodge Shelton and husband Nick Shelton of Waco, Texas; Dillon Michael Hodge; Kennedale Hodge; David Slade Hodge; Dianna Serenity Sheffield; Michael Skylar Sheffield; Lochlan Wayne McIntosh; Jake Moilan and Aspen Clara Moilan; Tyler Scott Stormer Boaz and spouse Skyler Boaz; Dara See and Abigal Cotter.
GreatGreatGrandchildren: McKenna Claire Hodge; Dawson Reed Stormer Boaz; Tatum Kate Shelton; and Daxton Aero Sheffield.
Other survivors: Myndi Hodge, daughter-in-law of Temple Texas; Theresa Ann Fenwick Hodge, granddaughter-in-law of Seagoville, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd John Hodge of Stephenville, Texas; Lloyd David Hodge, Grandson of Stephenville Texas who formerly wrote for the Stephenville Tribune; and Stacy Annette Blake, Granddaughter, of Bridgeport, Texas; her parents, her sister Susan Reisch Hoggatt and brother Warren Reisch.
Clara moved to California when she was six years old and lived there for six years (which was during WW II). When she was twelve the family moved to Estacada, Oregon where she lived for three years. She loved to tell the story about how she was the fastest strawberry picker in the fields in Oregon. She attended high school in Havensville, Kansas where she met Lloyd Hodge who she married. He worked for the Sante Fe Railroad and they traveled. Their first child Craig was born in Nebraska. They eventually made a home in Stephenville, Texas where they lived the majority of their lives. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2002 and Lloyd died in 2004.
Clara worked as a tailor and a bank teller. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Stephenville. She enjoyed being a member of the Stephenville Red Hat Steppers dance group into her 80s.
Her daughter Debbie and son-in-law Willard Lay were her loving caregivers for five years. Their sacrifice allowed Clara to pass peacefully surrounded by family and many who loved her. A special thanks also to extraordinary caregivers Kristen Lay Moilan R.N., Andrea Lay L.M.S.W., Diana Acevedo, Pat Chon, and Lisa Gehrke. And appreciation for the constant work done by Stephen Hodge for years that allowed Clara to live independently for as long as possible. And to Angie Croucher for all those trips to the doctor.
In lieu of any flowers, the family asks that you make a donation (monetary, blankets, volunteer hours . . . ) in her name to the Erath County Humane Society, 891 East Road Stephenville, TX 76401