Debra K Hodge

Debra "Debbie" K. Hodge, age 63, of Spring Hill, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Menorah Medical Center in Leawood, Kansas. She was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on August 25, 1953, to Kennett and Lorene Roedel. She grew up in Elsmore, Kansas, with four older brothers, LeRoy, Richard, Rollin, and Lanny Roedel. She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1971. Her son, Jason was born in 1971, and her daughter, Pebbles was born in 1973. In 1975, she and her family moved to Holly, Michigan, where she met her current husband, Robert Hodge. They all moved back to Kansas in 1976. She went back to school and graduated from Pittsburg State University with her Teaching Degree in 1980. A few months later, she and Robert were married. Debbie then went on to Emporia State University and was the first person to get a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Handicap from Emporia. She then went to Fort Scott and started up the new preschool for special needs children. After a few years, she went to Parsons State Hospital and worked with others to develop a new curriculum that is still being used today. Debbie then took a break and opened her own daycare in Iola, Kansas, and ran it for three years. She then went to work for the Olathe School District and was the first teacher to run a preschool for special needs children in a public school in Olathe. She worked for Olathe for 24 years, and retired in 2015. Debbie then went on many cruises and saw a lot of the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, LeRoy, Rollin, and Lanny Roedel. Debbie is survived by her husband of 36 years, Robert Hodge of the home, they were together 41 years; one son, Jason Hodge and wife Elizabeth and their daughter Trinity; one daughter, Pebbles Hodge-Gauer and husband Dan; one brother, Richard Roedel; eight nieces, four nephews, five great nieces, ten great nephews, three great great nieces, and six great great nephews. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Elsmore Cemetery, Elsmore, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Debbie Hodge Memorial Fund. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .