Vernon L. Hodson (2016)
BARLEAN, BROWN, DORRELL, FRAME, HODSON, JOHNSON, JONES, SOPER
Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 11/2/2016 at 22:15:21
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, October 30, 2016Vernon L. Hodson, West Des Moines
Vernon L. Hodson, 91, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines, IA. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, November 3, 2016 at West Des Moines United Methodist Church (8th and Grand Ave), with burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Vernon was born December 17, 1924 to Harold and Elizabeth Hodson in Reynolds, ND; the oldest of their nine children. During the hard times of the depression the family relocated from North Dakota to Iowa. At age 16, Vernon graduated from High School in Earlham, where he was also a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. He took coursework in dairy science at Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now ISU).
Vernon was a dairy farmer for 35 years, first with his father; then with his brother, Dean, who Vernon brought into partnership upon his father's retirement. He farmed the land where the Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines is now located for 28 years, until 1977, when the prized herd of Holstein cows were sold. He then worked for a local home builder until his retirement. Vernon was a role model for the values of hard work, determination, and being a good neighbor and also encouraged each of his children in their own unique interests. He enjoyed being with the family, traveling to 48 states, card parties with friends, and spending time at Lake of the Ozarks and California in the winters.
Vernon is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Verga; children, Terri (Ben Johnson of Winterset, Steven (Sandy) Frame of Adel, Terresa Frame of Ottumwa, Kenneth (Kelly) Hodson of Lake St. Louis, MO, Ronald Hodson of Johnston and daughter-in-law, Michelle Hodson of Johnston; 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Laverne Jones of Waukee, Harold (Dixie) Hodson of Ankeny, Gale (Jeanne) Hodson of Altoona, Carole Barlean of Van Meter, Dean Hodson of Cumming; brothers-in-law, Gerald Soper of Winterset and Wallace Brown of Altoona. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis Dorrell Hodson; son, Kevin Hodson; and sisters, infant Evelyn, Coleen Soper and Viola Brown.
Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or Mercy Hospice Johnston.
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