Harold Hike John Hodson

Hike was born in Othello on March 13, 1917 to Ernest and Lylah (Donley) Hodson. He left school early to help his grandmother who owned the Old Hotel. He was hired on by the Milwaukee railroad and worked his entire life as a car man, walking the tracks in Othello and to make sure they were safe to travel. Hike was trained as a welder and used those skills to fix the track or the train, whatever was needed. On November 6, 1938 he married Lorene Roloff also of Othello. During WWII Hike’s job was considered too important to take him into the service. He had the responsibility of making sure the tracks were safe for soldiers and equipment moving around the country. He retired in 1978 and settled into his hobbies and his family. Hike enjoyed a wide variety of activities; vegetable gardening, golfing, tinkering in his wood shop. He could build or fix anything. He was a rock hound. He really enjoyed trips to the casino to play the slots, but always, and especially, he enjoyed time with his family. Family vacations were always awesome. Bar B Que’s and walnut cracking parties were legendary. He was known as a prankster his entire life. He hung a teacher by his heels out of the 2nd floor window of the schoolhouse, He took a cow into the school, and with the help of his brother burned down his folk’s outhouse while trying to keep warm, just to name a few of his pranks. Hike liked cars and usually purchased a new car every 2 years. He would pass his old carson to Curtis and Sally.. He will be remembered as a caring, honest and helpful man who would give you ‘the shirt off his back’. “Best Dad, Grandpa “Dodd”, great grandpa and great-great grandpa ever!” Hike at the age of 92, asked to be baptized with pastor Bob Luhn.

Hike was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lorene, in 2005, his sister Lena Marie Clark, a brother, Gene Hodson, a son, Curtis Hodson, and a grandson, Ian Hodson, He is survived by his daughter Sally Rodgers-Conlan of Othello, 6 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, at Stevens Funeral Chapel from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. A celebration of Hike’s life will be held on Friday, August 1, at the Othello Nazarene Church. Burial will follow at the Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens. To sign the guest book, leave a note for the family or order flowers, please visit stevensfuneralchapel.com