Donna Hodge

Donna Hodge

Cedar Rapids

Donna Hodge, 88, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. Services will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11 AM, with a visitation beginning at 10 AM, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Donna Hodge under the video tab starting at 11 am, January 5, 2024. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Donna Jean Frank was born July 19, 1935 in Wapakoneta, OH to Harry and Geraldine Frank. She attended Blume High School and graduated in 1953. She was active in band, FHA, Home Ec Club, 4-H, and was on the board of the Wigwam (the local youth center), a member of the choir at the First Lutheran Church, as well as an active member of the Church Altar Society.

Following graduation she was hired as secretary to the principal and the superintendent of the town's schools. She met the love of her life, Dick Hodge, during the end of her senior year on a blind date. They were married on February 12, 1955. They lived in Columbus and Westerville, OH for 5 years before moving to Cedar Rapids where Dick was hired by Collins Radio.

Donna was an active member in Eastern Star, and became Worthy Grand Matron in 1986. In 1988 she was elected to the office of Grand Secretary and held that office until April 1999 when she retired. At the grand chapter session that year, she was voted the distinction of Grand Secretary Emeritus. She was a 50-plus-year member.

In retirement, Dick and Donna loved to travel and see family. Her hobbies were sewing, knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitching. Donna enjoyed attending as many of the kid’s concerts, sport activities and theater productions as possible. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Marion for over sixty years where she sang in the choir and was a member of Wesleyan Circle.

She is survived by her husband, Dick; sons Dr. Richard (Stephanie), Cedar Rapids; Dennis (Terri) Marion; daughter Rev. Dr. Dawn (David) Alitz, Apple Valley, MN. Grandchildren Ben (Anna) Noblesville, IN; Stephen (Lauren) of Spring Hill, TN; Gabe (Brittany), Copper Mountain, CO; Chris (Hiroko) Iwakuni, Japan; Nick (Amber), Chicago, IL; Erin (Mike) Thorson, Marion; Jonah, Marion; Birgit Alitz, Mason City, IA; Tabitha Alitz, Junction City, KS. She had ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Memorial donations may be directed to Marion Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.