Haven Hodge

Haven Herschel Hodge, 92, of Oronoco, passed away peacefully at The Homestead on November 6, 2010, surrounded by family and reunited with Jeanne, 76 days after her passing.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday November 13, 2010 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Haven was born in Lake City on October 26, 1918 to Frank (F.A.) and Geneva (Hawkinson) Hodge. He had one younger sister Betty (Richard Freeman) who presently resides in Lake Arrowhead, CA. His autobiographical story, "Ha's Sketches" depicts a happy childhood spent exploring and fishing with Mrs. Gibbons. Always working - raising rabbits, collecting gopher feet and selling newspapers. His entrepreneurial skills were honed early, laying the foundation for a successful career as a Realtor / Builder and success in volunteer and advocacy roles within the Church and Community. "Happy Homes" was his slogan of distinction.
Haven and Jeanne met in high school in Zumbrota, their romance continued at the University of Minnesota and they married June 23, 1940. They raised their family in Rochester and summered at their cabin at Cedar Beach. In 1970 they moved to their dream house with acreage, cattle, and an indoor pool, located on a hill in Oronoco overlooking the Zumbro River. They spent winters in Hillsboro Beach, Florida, where they owned a condo and welcomed and entertained family and friends. Haven preferred to be called "Ha"
Everything Ha did he did with modesty and great focus. His personal motto, "Faith, Focus, and Follow Through" propelled him to heights of achievement which positively impacted his Community and State. Haven built more houses than anyone else in Rochester, he spearheaded legislation that created state standards for real estate, he distributed food and toys as Santa through the Shrine, and he was a Boy Scout Leader, a Sunday school teacher, and a supporter of Jeanne's projects at the YMCA, Girl Scouts, and Church. He was selected by another H.H.H., Hubert H. Humphrey, to head an advocacy task force for improving race relationships in Rochester.
Haven loved life, God, Jeanne, family, and friends. He enjoyed people, loved to entertain and share his stories. Haven and Jeanne traveled the world with the University of Minnesota Alumni, Bank groups, and Mayo Clinic groups. Haven collected almost everything; his collections were eclectic and included plates, farm implements, arrowheads, coins, cufflinks, paperweights, and Winston Churchill memorabilia.
Ha admired Winston Churchill immensely! He collected and read his books, adopted a Churchill bowler, smoked cigars, and drank champagne (like Winston!), and lived daily by Churchill's admonitions, "Never, Never, Never Give Up"
Ha was a gifted chronologist of people and events. He wrote several books, autobiographically, "Ha's Sketches" biographies of his grandparents, humorous tales, one about the travels of a "Dollar Bill" and one about houses, describing their occupants, titled, "Under These Roofs"
Ha had special unique relationships with Jeanne, his children: Hersch, Penny, Sally, and Jay and with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Haven will be remembered and loved for his generous heart, for always "being there", ready listen, to give support, and to help in any way.
He spoke often of his love of fishing and of those with whom he shared his love. All who fished with him will never forget the experience of being with him and sharing his passion. Ha loved God's waters, His sunshine, fishing; cleaning, frying, and eating fish! These loves are reflected in the lives of his children and their children; the "water people", boaters, fisherman, and fish lovers.

It's the End of an Era!

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Wow, what a ride!"

Ha is predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Jeanne. He is survived by his four children, Hersche (Rox-anne), Penny (Bob Boyle), Sally Schultz, and Jay (Chris); grandchildren, Kari Hodge, Haakon and Becki Hodge (Hatcher), Kristin and Dean Powers (Wyatt and Noah), Jeanne and Dave Gearhart (Ashley and Sophie), Erin Boyle, Heather and Marc Woolman (Kaitlyn, Zachary, and Andrew), Monica and Dan Yoon (Rocco), Josh and Jessica Hodge (J.T. and Jonathan), and Vincent Taplin; and his sister, Betty (Richard Freeman).
In lieu of flowers and memorials Ha prefers you to buy some champagne and toast LIVING!