Obituary of Esther Irene Hodges

Mrs. Esther Irene Hodges, age 91, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed peacefully from this earth to her heavenly home on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Life Care Center in Winter Haven, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Hodges was born May 21, 1930 in Turlock, California to Axel Gideon and Alma Christine (Larson) Pearson. She earned her RN degree from Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois in 1952 and married Russell Hodges upon his graduation from West Point Military Academy in 1955. God blessed them with 2 daughters: Peggy (Hunt) and Nancy (Vale). Russ’ career as an Air Force officer required multiple moves, and they eventually settled in Lompoc, California for their retirement years. Everywhere they lived, Russ and Irene mentored and encouraged people, established lasting friendships, immersed themselves in the life of their local church, and poured themselves into those around them. Following Russ’ death in 2007, Irene moved to Winter Haven in 2009 where she continued their lifelong pattern of investing in others. She was an active member of CenterPoint Church, participated in her Traditions neighborhood, helped with church and school projects, and was a voracious letter writer. However, her heartbeat was for Jesus and her family. She loved spending time reading her Bible and was valued for her deep insight and wisdom, gained from years of walking with the Lord. Family was a highlight for her and she loved gathering with kids, grandkids, and great grands to enjoy a meal or celebrate a special occasion. Notable of her many treasured qualities was her ability to listen. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel incredibly special! She was preceded in death by her parents—Axel and Alma; her husband - Russ; 2 brothers-- Carl (Margaret) and George; grandson-- Daniel Vale, and great grandson-- Noah Hunt. She is survived by her 2 daughters-- Peggy (Duane) Hunt of Winter Haven, FL and Nancy (Robert) Vale of LaPorte, IN; 7 grandchildren—Jonathan (Rebecca), Benjamin (Bryanna), Sarah, Andrew (Nikki), Rachel, Rebecca (William), and Joshua (Phuong Quynh); 16 great grandchildren – Tyler, Jacob, Gabrielle, Stacie, Josiah, Daisy, Agnus, Sophia, Bella, David, Kellie, Violet, Paul, Brandon, Aurora, and Kameron; and 1 great, great granddaughter – Evelyn. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Steele’s Family Funeral Home, 207 Burns Lane, Winter Haven, FL, just off Dundee Road. Her Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. at CenterPoint Church, 6950 Eloise Loop Road, Winter Haven, FL. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/CenterPointChurchWinterHavenFL. An inurnment will be held at a later date in Hilmar, California. To honor Irene, we are suggesting that those attending wear blue, her absolute favorite color. That would make her smile. Any memorial gifts can be directed to CenterPoint Church Building Fund.