Veda Arlene Hodson (1925)

BILDERBACK, FOSTER, HODSON

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 2/13/2007 at 19:16:47

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 3, 1925

Veda Arlene Hodson

Saturday, just at break of dawn, the soul of Veda Hodson started on its journey over the Great Divide to await the coming of the glorious morn. Her sudden passing away came as a great shock to the community where she has lived her beautiful life.

Veda Arlene, daughter of George A. and Honor Hodson, was born near Adel, Oct. 20, 1888, and departed this life at her home in Earlham Nov. 28, 1925. She was preceded in death by her sister Blanche and her father, who died in 1920.

She leaves to mourn her loss her grief-stricken mother; two uncles, John Bilderback and F. Bilderback; three aunts, Isabella H. Foster, Cora Hodson and Hattie Hodson, also seven cousins besides a host of admiring friends.

Graduating from the Earlham Academy in 1907, then taking one year commercial work, of her class of twenty-eight members she is the first to answer the summons.

Veda was a faithful worker in the Presbyterian Church and Sunday School, Past Noble Grand of Marguerite Rebekah Lodge, Conductor of Degree Staff for seven years, District Deputy of Madison County one year, also Recorder of Royal Neighbors for a number of years.

She was actively engaged in the Red Cross work during the World War, and for the past nine years has been Dr. Day’s faithful and efficient assistant.

A devoted daughter, her first thought was for the comfort and happiness of her loved ones at home. Her winsome disposition and sunny smile made friends of all who knew her, not only in the home and among old acquaintances, but those who were strangers to her.

“A kindly deed, or cheerful word to say –
To those who suffered – that was Veda’s way.”

She was an ardent lover of birds and flowers, yet they were not more beautiful than her splendid character. The sympathy of all her friends goes to the sorrowing family. Truly it can be said of her, “she was beloved by all who knew her.”

“Go to thy rest, fair maid,
To thy peaceful, dreamless bed,
While yet so gentle, undefiled,
With blessing on thy head.
Because thy smile was fair,
Thy lips and eyes so bright,
Rise to thy throne of changeless rest,
In yon celestial light.

There is no death! The stars go down
To rise upon some fairer shore;
And bright in Heaven’s jeweled crown
They shine for ever more.

“There is no death! The leaves may fall
And flowers may fade, and pass away
They only wait through winter hours
The coming of the May.

“There is no death! What seems so is transition,
This life of mortal breath
Is but a suburb of the life elysian –
Whose portals we call Death.”

Finally the funeral service of Monday afternoon, the final tribute of love and friendship, when we stood mute and sorrowing before the mystery of eternity come close to us. How a few hours have changed all. She was one of us a few short days ago, her vivid personality shining through her dark eyes. Long the picture will endure before memory blurs. But Veda has gone on into the years, where we shall hope to meet her again, face to face.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Fink at the Presbyterian Church. Interment was in Earlham Cemetery.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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