Date of Birth:
Tuesday, August 11, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Age:
89 years old

Ardella Alma Hodkinson

Ardella (Del) Hodkinson passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the Madonna Meadows in Rochester, MN, she was 89 years old.

Del was born in Oakwood Township to Frank and Helen (Siem) Springer in 1931. Del married Dale Hodkinson in 1952 to whom she was married for 34 years prior to Dale’s death in 1987.

Del, who was known to many friends and family as Blondie, was a compassionate, kind, and loving mother to her four children and a dedicated wife. She enjoyed antiquing and flea markets, collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, gardening, and cooking. Del was especially known for her freshly made soups, fried donut holes, onion rings, and spritz cookies. She had bright blue eyes and a friendly disposition that was always ready to engage in a conversation. Del loved her family, and like her husband was selfless in making sure they were always taken care of.

Ardella spent most of her life in Rochester, MN, and the surrounding communities but also lived in Libertyville, IL from 1975 to 1985. In addition to raising her four children, Del worked at Interstate Industries and Libertyville High School in Illinois and Waters Conley and Target in Rochester, MN. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester for most of her adult life and a member of St John’s Lutheran Church while living in Libertyville, IL.

Ardella is survived by her children, Gayla (Mike) Ryan, of Harpers Ferry, IA, Kim (Tom) Blondell of Rochester, MN, Brad Hodkinson of Wauconda, IL, and Mark (Anne-Marie) Hodkinson of San Jose, CA; sisters, Evelyn Moen, of Rochester and Marilyn (Larry) Kappers of Spring Valley; brother-in-law, Don (Becky) Hodkinson of Chatfield; sister-in-law, Charlotte Springer of Plainview; sister-in-law, Jean Springer of Millville; five grandchildren, Jessica (Jay) Radniecki of Kasson, Lindsey (Dan) Boettcher of Rochester, Ross Blondell of Rochester, and Spencer and Tatum-Marie Hodkinson of San Jose; and three great-grandchildren, Penny Radniecki, Harper, and Briar Boettcher.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale; seven sisters, Nettie (Donald “Dutch”) Kruger, Myrtle (Harold) Ziebell, Hazel (Francis) Cox, Elsie (Mert) Folkert, Lucille (Wilmer) Rietmann, Viola (Paul) Wiebusch, and Verna (Vince) Gerken; and three brothers, Arnold (Marion), Clarence, and Frank Springer.

The family sends its most heartfelt love and appreciation to all the employees at the Madonna Meadows who loved and cared for Del in her later years. A private family “Celebration of Life” will be held in lieu of a public service due to the ongoing pandemic.  Del will be laid to rest and join her late husband Dale at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.