Kenneth E. Hodson

Kenneth Earl Hodson, age 87, of Ostrander, MN, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020 at Ostrander Care & Rehab where he resided since March 2019.

He was born in Forest City, IA on July 10, 1933 to Nile and Esther (Hanna) Hodson. In March 1940, at the age of 6 ½, he moved from a farm near Crystal Lake, IA to a farm south of Ostrander. He attended the grade school in Ostrander for 8 years and then high school in Spring Valley, MN, where he graduated at the age of 16. After graduation, he worked at a refinery in St. Paul, MN where he stayed with his eldest sister, Maxine, and her husband.

In May 1956, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL. From 1956-1958 he served on the ship USS Currituck as a machinist mate 2nd class. He saw much of the Mediterranean and Caribbean areas. After an honorable discharge, he met his future wife, Carole Capelle, at the Rochester Pla-Mor Ballroom. They dated for a year and on Valentine’s Day 1959, Ken proposed to “the love of his life.” They were married June 30, 1959 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. The couple honeymooned at the Black Hills of South Dakota and then began their life together in rural Ostrander. In 1965, they moved into town in a new home that Ken built.

Ken owned his own business and was well known for being a custom home builder. He designed and built many homes in SE MN and NE IA.

He served on city council and church council. Ken was an avid golfer and played on a men’s league. He also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling with a group called the “Brushbusters”,” and was a safety instructor for kids. He was a Vikings football fan, loved country music, and reading Louis L’Amour. Ken especially loved to spend time with his “great wife and family.” Many people commented on his beautiful smile.

Survivors include his wife Carole of 61 years; 2 daughters, Kimberly (John) Schraeder of Ostrander, and Sue (Rex) Larson of Lime Springs, IA; 1 son, Kevin (Mary) Hodson of Hutchinson, MN; 7 grandchildren: Eric Schraeder (Tiffany Lewison) of LeRoy, MN, Amber Larson of Lime Springs, IA, Brittany (Jeremy) Mihm of LeRoy, MN, Jessica Larson of Lime Springs, IA, Kelsey (Ryan) Henry of Cresco, IA, Jason (Allie) Hodson of Burnsville, MN, and Jeffrey Hodson of Hutchinson, MN; 9 great-grandchildren: Colin Larson, Trynnity Frana and Jarrett Larson, Malia, Zoey, and Stella Henry, Dylan Schraeder, Shelby and Kinzey Mihm; a sister, Marian Thompson of St. Paul, MN; a brother-in-law, Michael Capelle of Rochester, MN; a sister-in-law, Donna Capelle of Waterloo, IA; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Maxine Schwabauer and Doris Butts; a brother, Phillip Hodson; mother and father-in-law, Audrey and Eugene Launt; 4 brothers-in-law: Gerry Schwabauer, James Butts, James Capelle, and Donald Thompson; a sister-in-law, Barb Capelle.

Due to COVID-19, family decided on a private service, with no visitation, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander with Pastor Herman Bakker officiating. Burial will be at the Ostrander Cemetery. Arrangements by Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please make any memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church of Ostrander, MN.

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