Obituaries

Howard Herman Harold Hodel, age 88, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family on January 22nd, 2024. Howard was born June 20th, 1935, the son of Herman and Elsbeth Hodel.

On Valentine’s Day while at a dance at Turner Hall in Monroe, WI, he met the love of his life Jean Gordee. He married his Jeanie on September 5th, 1959, at the Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Browntown, Wisconsin.

Howard was the Valedictorian of his High School Class in Belleville WI. He then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was in the UW Marching Band. He worked for many years as a chemist for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation: WARF.

Howard always put his faith, wife, and family first and foremost in his life. He was most proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He would do whatever he could, to make sure his family had every opportunity for what was best for them. His passions in life were music, roses, Sanibel Island, camping, gardening, and enjoying homemade foods. He spent many hours listening to and teaching music to his children and grandchildren and then attending their many parades and concerts.

He will be remembered for his dedication and devotion to his wife and his children. He also took great pride in his thirteen grandchildren and his eight great grandchildren. His love for his entire family will always remain with us and the people that he knew throughout his life.

He is survived by his children, Thomas (Cynthia) Hodel of Deerfield, WI, Tamara (Joseph) Weiss of Sun Prairie, WI, Timothy (Connie) Hodel of Lake Mills, WI, Tiffany (Brian) Fritz of Middleton, WI, and Tricia Hodel of Madison, WI; thirteen grandchildren, Ryan (Kristyn) Hodel, Heidi (Justin) Segerson, Michael Weiss (Heather Skinner), Shannon Hodel (Chris Stewart), Jean Weiss (Steven Ellingson), Sharilyn (Jake) Zimmerman, Matthew Weiss, Christine Weiss, Timothy (Katelyn) Hodel, Andrew Fritz, Benjamin Hodel, Ashley Fritz and Aaron Fritz; eight great-grandchildren, Brannock Stewart, Braedan Hodel, Kilee Stewart, Keegan Stewart, Mallory Segerson, Westin Hodel, Monroe Stewart, and Kellan Hodel; his brother Roger (Jean) Hodel and two sisters: Carol Prinsen and Debbie (Kendall) Schneider; his sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hodel; and other relatives. He is now reunited in heaven with his Jeanie, his parents, and his grandparents (whom he adored), and his brothers Paul and Carlton.

We would like to give a special thank-you to the nurses and doctors at the St. Mary’s MICU for the exceptional care they gave to Howard.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. A burial will be held at the Verona Cemetery.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625