Betty Hodges

Lake Linden:  Betty Hodges, born Elizabeth Anne Gervais, age 78, died at the Omega House in Houghton on March 7, 2015, where she had been cared for since February of 2011. 

She was born April 5, 1936 in Lake Linden, a daughter of Beatrice (Buschell) and Armand Gervais.  She attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in 1954.  On December 15, 1956, she married John M. Hodges of Hubbell.  He preceded her in death on March 21, 1997.

Betty lived in Lake Linden and worked at Gartner’s, Dreamland, sold Avon, and in 1969, went to work for Houghton County in the 97th District Court.  Throughout her career as the Magistrate for Houghton County, she was highly respected and performed numerous wedding ceremonies.  In her 34 years in the 97th District Court, Betty mentored and advised many colleagues.  Betty thoroughly enjoyed her career as Magistrate and Court Administrator until retiring in April of 2001.

Betty, the oldest of 10 children and the mother of 5, will especially be remembered for her dedication along with neighbor Muriel Baril, for the organizing of and her volunteer time as a Lake Linden-Hubbell sports booster.  She enjoyed watching not only her grandchildren and relatives, but and all sporting events both near and far for Lake Linden-Hubbell.  Betty was a confidant for her family and friends.  She enjoyed reading, playing pinochle, and building jigsaw puzzles with her children and grandchildren.  She liked to spend time at the lake with family and friends and enjoyed regular Sunday dinners with her children and grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by: her parents, her husband, infant-grandson-Sean Hodges Seppala, sister-Mary (Leonard) Gervais-Gregoire, father-in-law Marvin, mother-in-law Ruth, and brothers-in-law-Robert (Ruth) Hodges, Carson (Alice) Hodges, and Bruce Hodges.

She is survived by: her son-John P. Hodges of Tamarack; daughters-Mary Beth Hodges, Jean (Shane) Middleton, Sara (Mark) Dudenas, and Julie (Dean) Seppala-all of Lake Linden; sisters-Wilma Minetti and Emmy (Ronald) Bourdeau of Lake Linden, Theresa Gervais and Nancy (Richard) Gaither of Stuart, Florida, Rita (Tony) LaCavera of Snellville, Georgia; brothers-Armand (Ione) Gervais of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Sam (Kim) Gervais of Stuart, Florida, and Raymond (Heidi) Gervais of Laurium; nephew-Bruce Hodges who was raised as part of Betty and John’s family; Lynda Gregoire who was also like a daughter to Betty; The joys of her life where her grandchildren-Holly (Chris) Ahnen, Eric Seppala, Erin Seppala, Michael Middleton, Jaimie Middleton, Brendan Middleton, Justin Dudenas, and Stephen Dudenas; a great-granddaughter-Madelyn Dudenas; and many nieces and nephews including great and great-great, who were all a part of Betty’s life.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden with Fr. John Martignon to officiate.  Visitation will be from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. and from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden.  Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.

                The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to: the staff and volunteers at the Omega House; Sue Lewis-who kept Betty company for years and stayed with us until we couldn’t care for her at home any longer; niece, Donna Hodges-who came often and at the drop of a hat to be with Betty and provide loving moral support; and to the staff at Aspirus Home Hospice for their support and care.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Omega House, www.omega-house.org, 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931

                Online condolences may be left at www.pearcefuneralhome.com

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