Earl L. Hodson

Earl LeRoy Hodson was born April 16, 1917 at rural Twin Valley, MN to Joseph and Ona Anderson Hodson. He grew up in various areas of Detroit Lakes until he was 9 years old when he moved to his aunt's farmstead in rural Clay County near Felton/Ulen. He attended Hagen Township School until the 8th grade. Earl then helped his aunt farm and bought his first quarter of land when he was 13 years old. Earl was dedicated to his family and enjoyed teaching them to love the outdoors through hunting, fishing, golf, horseshoes, trapping, horseback riding and his love for dancing. He was known for his many hunting stories and experiences he loved to share with others. Earl married Betty Lou Carter Hodson in Detroit Lakes, MN in May 1951 and together they raised four children on the family farm near Ulen, MN. Betty died in 1978. Earl married Beulah "Bonnie" Pullen in January of 1990 and they made their home in Fargo and enjoyed many years spending winters in Mission, TX. They shared many dear friends and acquaintances through their travels, church, dancing and family gatherings. Earl was a long time employee of American Crystal Sugar Company, Moorhead, MN where he was a certified welder. He also, at one time, helped build the elevators in Felton, Ulen and Hitterdal, MN. He was one of the carpenters that constructed Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Felton, MN and welded missile silos at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Earl is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Elizabeth "Beth" Wasfaret-Chloupek Tim, of Dilworth, Nanette Wayne Barker of Grand Lodge, MI, and Earl Lee Gwen Hodson of Moorhead, Jodi Brian Richardson of Fort Worth, TX; two step-daughters, Patty Jim Larson of Fargo, ND and Debra Eric Mohr of Alexandria, MN; brother, Gary Hodson; and sisters, Mavis Birkey of Oregon and Eva Zabo of California. Earl had 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister, 3 great-granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton MN.