Deanna G Hodge

Deanna Gail Maroney Hodge, born May 20, 1940 to Dean Leroy and Mary Zwanzgier Maroney in Cainsville, MO, passed away peacefully at home, February 4, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 85 years old.

She grew up in Cainsville, MO, in a neighborhood of kids, where she made many friends. Her parents were loving and kind.

She graduated from Cainsville HS in MO in 1958, and was valedictorian of her class. Gail, as she was known by family and friends, was popular, outgoing, and participated in many activities. She was a member of her student council, a member of the pep club, a class officer, annual staff, newspaper staff, library staff, a member of FHA, and the glee club. She was a cheerleader and Annual Queen. She played the trombone in band, and was a standout on the basketball court, known for her determination and competitive spirit on the hardwood. Gail was a friend to everyone, and made lifetime friendships.

After graduating college at the University of MO, she took a few years off to start her family and raise her two children, Valerie and Lance. She helped work their family farm, raising pigs and tending to horses, raising crops. She cherished every moment supporting her children’s pursuits, from helping her daughter practice and prepare for her horse barrel racing, to cheering through every season of Lance’s school sports. You would find her in the stands cheering her children on.

Gail was a teacher. A beloved fixture in the classroom, she was more than an educator, she was a mentor, who believed in every student's potential. Gail also worked at H&R Block, and managed a restaurant and was a real estate agent. She lived a life of service, whether she was inspiring students in her classroom, cheering on her daughter and son, or campaigning for the local leaders she believed would best serve her neighbors.

In 1987, while working as a real estate agent, fate walked through her door in the form of a country boy from Texas looking for farmland. She didn’t just find him the perfect property, she found the love of her life. Following her heart, she moved to the Lone Star State, and on May 4, 1988, she married her true love, H.G. Hodge, beginning a beautiful 37 year journey together. With that union, she gained a family of an additional five children, and three grandchildren, the Hodge crew, with many more added over the years, including great-grand children. She was a blessing to the family in more ways than one, serving as the glue that held everything together, she was very active in her grandchildren’s lives, participating in 4-H and supporting all of their sport interests. Known affectionately as Momma G, Grandma and GG, she was the heart of every home. She lived for H. G. in life, and followed him in death, leaving this world only 26 days after her beloved husband, completing their love story together.

She continued her love of teaching, substituting for Elgin ISD, teaching night GED classes, and teaching English at the Bastrop Federal Prison.

She lived her life in the front row of her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives and passions. She was an active presence in her granddaughter and grandson’s lives, traveling many miles to support her granddaughter’s activities in MO and to help take care of her grandson in CO. Whether she was in the barn, the bleachers, preparing 4-H events, school events, and family gatherings, she gave 100% of herself to the people she loved. She will be missed. Deeply missed.

Gail is preceded in death by her husband, H. G. Hodge, her parents Dean and Mary Maroney, her daughter Valerie Cummins, her sister Ina Yoder, her brother Danny Maroney, and her daughter Janis Williams.

Gail is survived by her son Lance Doty, granddaughter Emily Doty, grandson Blake Cummins, grandson Garrett Sanders, son Mike, granddaughters, Nita Hodge Groves, who she helped raise, (Pablo) and Shelby Rodriguez (Phillip), daughter Lori Sulzer, (Brent) grandson Joshua Milburn, granddaughters Katy Milburn and Kristen Lockhart, daughter Keri Pekar, (Charles) grandsons, Jeffrey (Meghein) and Jacob (Bri) Pekar, daughter Karen Hodge, grandsons Justin (Ashley) and Jordan (Katie) Skrhak, seventeen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Services pending at Providence Funeral Home in Elgin, TX, with a home going service in MO to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to her former high school's basketball team: CAINSVILLE R-1 School, Athletic Dept., 1308 Depot St Cainsville, MO 64632.