Margaret Elizabeth Hodgin Obituary
Margaret Elizabeth Hodgin, 94, passed away in her home on December 1, 2017. Her sense of humor, caring spirit and zest for life were evident daily. As a devoted wife, mother, friend, and caregiver, Margaret leaves a powerful legacy of faith in Christ which continues to influence those she loved.
She was born on November 7, 1923 to John and Myra Campbell in St. Cloud, MN. Margaret (“Muggs” to her family and then later “Marge”) graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1941, along with her high school sweetheart, Arthur William Hodgin, whom she later married on May 27, 1944. The couple moved to Fargo, ND where they lived over 30 years raising their four children. In 1985 they moved to Arizona and became snowbirds – spending their winters in AZ and summers at their cabin in Bemidji, MN. In 1989 they sold their cabin and became permanent AZ residents.
Margaret was extremely active. Her hobbies included flying (she obtained her pilot’s license during the war when she delivered mail – but gave it up since she occasionally got lost!), hiking, walking her dogs, entertaining, and taking classes (Tai Chi, Yoga, water aerobics). Later when she moved to AZ, she added feeding and watching the quail and rabbits, etc in her back yard and watching the Phoenix Suns. She also loved baking (banana bread, cookies, peanut brittle, caramel corn, and caramel/cinnamon rolls) which she shared with family and friends, especially during the holidays. One of the early members of the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, Margaret was very active – she participated in many Bible study groups, served as a greeter, worked in the food bank when it was originally established and started a singles group for widows/widowers after her husband passed away in 1995.
In May 2013, Margaret was involved in a freak accident while inside shopping at a local sewing store. She was struck by an SUV that drove through the front door of the store. Although the trauma unit medical staff felt she would never recover due to the severity of her injuries, she recovered almost 100% – which was acknowledged by all as truly a miracle. She remained active even after this accident taking up biking (3-wheel) and swimming.
Margaret will be deeply missed by all those whom she loved, who loved her, and whose hearts she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Fred Campbell; and two sisters, Una Schiller and Edith Finholt. She is survived by her four children, Bonnie (Randy) Rodahl of Benson, MN, Carol (Ben) Fye and Sheri (Craig) Ohland both of Gold Canyon, AZ, and Ric (Karen) Hodgin of Houston, TX; in addition to 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for family and friends at 11am on Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, 6640 S Kings Ranch Road, Gold Canyon, 85118. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to a Christian ministry she supported for close to 40 years: The A.D Players, 5420 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056. Donations may also be made in her name online at: https://www.adplayers.org/support-the-work.