Clarence Hodde

Clarence Hodde, age 93, peacefully passed away on January 27, 2025. He was born June 23, 1931 in the Salem community to Ed W. and Alma Weiss Hodde. He was baptized and confirmed in the Salem Lutheran Church. He was educated at Salem school, Blinn College, and Sam Houston State University. Clarence proudly served his country as a US Army medic from 1952 to 1954. On June 3, 1956, he and Elsie Kelling were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg.

Clarence began working for the US Postal Service and served in many areas, including work as a supervisor, but his true love was delivering mail as a rural carrier. He often spoke of his “customers” and was grateful for the opportunity to serve them.

Clarence was a man of deep faith, and he shared his legacy of faith as a High School Sunday School teacher for many years. He served in many other roles as well, including church council president.

After retiring, he volunteered as a reading mentor for fifteen years at Krause Elementary school, served as a Hospice volunteer and as a docent for the Brenham Heritage Museum.
He was also active in the Salem Volunteer Fire Department and the Washington County Fair. Clarence also attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Clarence is survived by his wife Diana, whom he married in 1992, his children, Don Hodde and wife Barbara, Patricia Schulze and husband Larry, Peggy Swanson and husband Steve. He is also survived by Diana’s children, Brad Wallace and wife Terri and Whitney Wilburn and husband Kevin. He was Papa H to his nine grandchildren; Valerie Schulze, Matt Hodde and wife Sara, Nathan Hodde and wife Tiffany, Paul Hodde, Grant Swanson and wife Maggie, Ty Swanson, Avery Sears, Hayden Wallace, Jaysen Wallace, and great granddaughter Evie Hodde. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins Jimmie Weiss and Edna Weiss.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Elsie, his grandson Kyle David Schulze, his sister, Evelyn Menn and husbands Raymond Schilling and Franklin Menn, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Willie Kelling (Joyce), Rudy Kelling (Ruth B.), Ray Kelling (Pauline), Dan Kelling (Ruth I.), Edith Gilmore (Henry), Kathleen Farris (Quentin), Marie Wilson (Gaylord) and David Bodenheimer (Caran).

Visitation will be Friday, January 31, 2025 from 8am -7pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Family will be present from 5-7pm.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11am at Salem Lutheran Church, Dr. Craig Dohse officiating. Burial will follow in the Salem Church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clarence’s grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Arnold, Stan Kubicek, Eli Kubicek, and Pablo Marin.

The family expresses its deep gratitude to Fresenius Kidney Care and Kruse Village for their care and compassion. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church or Hospice Brazos Valley.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Memories may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.