Barbara Hodges

1957 - 2025

Barbara Hodges

November 29, 1957 - October 22, 2025

Barbara A. Hodges passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at her home in Lexington, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara Anne Wright Mills Hodges was born November 29, 1957, to Dale Conger Wright and Frances Eileen (Steele) Wright, in Kearney, Neb. Barb was the youngest of six children. When told the baby was a girl, her mother questioned the doctor, "What am I supposed to do with her," as she would be taking the baby girl home to join five older brothers: Stephen, Sanford, Thomas, David, and Kim. Barb lived in Kearney with her family and attended school at Bryant Elementary, Kearney Jr. High, and Kearney Senior High School.

On March 8, 1974, she married Kirk Douglas Mills of Kearney. They made their home in Kearney where they welcomed their first daughter, Shannon Marie. The family moved to an acreage near Lexington, Neb., where they welcomed two more daughters, Heather Anne, and Natalie Joleen.

Barb was always grateful for her time at home with her little girls. She loved being a mom and loved when she did not have to work outside the home. She worked various jobs, some part-time, some from home, while the girls were growing up. Grandma Mills, one of her favorite people, taught her canning, crafts, and gardening. Barb enjoyed sewing and made many of her daughters' clothes.

Kirk and Barb later divorced, and Barb moved into Lexington to what became her most favorite home.

Barb started working for the city of Lexington in 1978. She worked some part-time, some full-time years while learning the operations of the business office and attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney earning her BS degree in Business Administration and Accounting. Soon after graduating, she became the City Treasurer/Finance Director for the city of Lexington; a position she was proud to hold until her retirement in September 2023.

Barb married Michael Wayne Hodges on October 15, 2010, in a hot air balloon ride above Colorado Springs, Colo.; one of her favorite adventures. They made their home in Lexington. She and Mike liked to take mini vacations to interesting locations, attend concerts, visit historic sites, visit family, and go on bicycling jaunts.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. More than anything she loved the noise in her house from a large family gathering and making sure there was enough food; there was always enough food. She liked to color, visit with friends, try new things. She learned to crochet just enough so she could make baby crib blankets. She loved to dance. She persuaded Mike to take lessons with her in their early years together and they actually became quite good dancers.

When her health allowed, she exercised daily; and she tried to eat a healthy diet. She loved the Bible and getting closer to Jesus. She also liked to sit on the patio on a warm summer evening with a mango margarita in hand.

Barb volunteered and served her community in many ways over the years. She taught Sunday school at the Overton Methodist Church, she served on rural School District #17 school board, and the inaugural Lexington Girls Fastpitch Softball Association board. She was secretary for the local Soroptimist International, was a graduate of the Dawson Area Development Leadership Program, member of the Government Finance Officers Association, and League of Nebraska Municipalities. Barb served two years each as Chaplin, Vice-President, and President to local PEO Chapter AN.

She served on the Endowment, Finance, Scholarship, and Worship committees, the Administrative Council, the Media Team, the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee, and just about every other committee (officially or not) of her church; the First United Methodist Church in Lexington.

Barb was preceded in death by her brother, Sanny in 1974; her mother in 2003; her father in 2012; her brother, Tom in 2012; her brother, David in 2022; her brother, Steve in 2024; her beloved red border collie, Dolly; and her cat, Slippers.

Those left to celebrate her life are: Her husband, Mike.

Her daughter Shannon Lauby of Lexington, Neb., with sons, Ryan of Overton, Neb., and Deakon of Omaha, Neb.

Her daughter Heather DeLap of Lexington, Neb., with husband, Corey, and daughters, Gabrielle of Los Angeles, Calif., and Gracey of Lincoln, Neb.

Her daughter, Natalie Fowler, with husband, Ryan, and sons, Kaden, Mayer, and Mason all of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Her brother, Kim Wright and sister-in-law Sue of Kearney, Neb.; along with niece, Lindsey Wright and Josh Cover of Kearney, Neb.

Mike's daughters, CiCi Anderson of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Amy Uehling of Mont Vernon, N.H., and Cara Coon of Kearney, Neb.; and their families; and many other family and friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with family present.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Monday, October 27, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, 8th and Grant Streets, Lexington, Neb., with Pastor Javier Aguila and Pastor Jim Wilson officiating. Cremation has taken place.

There will be a private family graveside service at a later time.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, the Dawson County Cancer Care Fund, or the donor's choice.

A luncheon will be served immediately following the service in the church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.