Margaret M. Hodge

Margaret M. Hodge, age 72, of Amherst, Wisconsin, formerly of Oshkosh, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2008, at St. Michael's Hospital in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Margaret was born in Rock Island, Illinois on November 29, 1935. She was the daughter of Charles R. and Elizabeth O. Weingart, of Davenport, Iowa. On August 30, 1958, she married David Hodge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is survived by her husband: David Hodge, Amherst; and daughter: Catherine (Michael) Hodge-Bodart, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Margaret attended St. Alphonsus School in Davenport, and then the Villa de Chantal, in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating in 1954. She began her career studying dance in Davenport under Eleanor Pucci Miller from 1938-1954. Although she received 2-3 years of training in tap dance and and acrobatic work, the majority of her training was in classical ballet under the ceccheti method. She also studied at the Rae Studio in Davenport. Margaret received her first modern dance training from Mrs. Treadway at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, from 1954-1955. Margaret appeared regularly on the Marjorie Meinnert Program on WOC-TV and belonged to the Quad City Music Guild where she belonged to the Corps de Ballet and performed in several light operas and musicals from 1950-1953. She was a member of the Masquers, a drama group. Margaret taught dance to lower elementary children at the Friendly House in Davenport. She also taught dance and choreographed programs at the Villa de Chantal. Margaret received a scholarship to further her education at the Perry-Mansfield summer studio in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she studied under Helen Tamiris, Virginia Tanner and Harriet Ann Gray. This was an opportunity to meet and work with visiting artist such as Daniel Nagrin and Ruth St. Dennis. While at the State University of Iowa she studied modern dance with Marcia Thayer, a protégé of Martha Graham, and received her BA in Dramatic Arts from SUI in 1964. Margaret also studied under Margaret H'Doubler and John Coleman at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Margaret taught dance and choreography at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and at Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin. She taught Creative Dance to kindergarten children at the Gaines Public School, Athens, Georgia. In 1969 she was selected to judge the dance section of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, and she conducted a workshop in conjunction with this. Margaret also assisted and advised the women's gymnastic coach, Miss Janet Moldenhauer, at UW-O in matters pertaining to dance and choreographed a solo introduction for a number in a synchronized swim show for Miss Moldenhauer and her students. While living in Oshkosh, Margaret was an energetic and devoted Campfire leader to girls at the Rose C. Swart Campus Laboratory School at UW-O. She held a position on the Citizens Advisory Committee for many years and was an enthusiastic supporter of revitalizing Oshkosh's downtown. Margaret taught art classes to children at the Bergstrom Art Center in Neenah, Wisconsin. Examples of her work can be found in the latest edition of Emphasis Art. She also helped her husband, David, hang shows in the Priebe Gallery at UW-Oshkosh and hosted visiting artists. Margaret Hodge touched many, many people of all ages through her kindness, generosity and open heart. She believed profoundly in young people and was proud to call so many her friends. Probably the ultimate compliment paid to her was when the little boy who lived across the street told his father that when he grew up, he wanted to be Mrs. Hodge. A scholarship is being established in her name at the UW-Oshkosh. Donations may be sent to the Margaret and David Hodge Scholarship in Art Education. UW-O Foundation, Inc.800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901 Attn. Lori Kroening. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Jungers-Holly Funeral Home 262 S. Main Street Amherst, WI. 54406 715-824-3221 www.hollyfuneralhome.com

Margaret M. Hodge

November 29, 1935 - February 16, 2008