Alfred Hodges

Alfred (Fred) Hodges, 97, passed away on July 25, 2026 in Rochester, MN surrounded by family and loved ones.

Fred was born July 15, 1929 the son of Alfred Hodges, Sr. and Nellie (Pomeroy) Hodges in Racine, WI. His parents immigrated to Racine from the English Channel island of Guernsey.

Fred graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine, WI. Fred enrolled in Stout Institute which is now the University of Wisconsin, Stout. Between his sophomore and junior years he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Following basic training and leadership school, Private Hodges was shipped to Korea. Fred was honorably discharged in August of 1953. Fred returned to Stout Institute to earn a B.S. Degree in Industrial Arts Education. He continued his education earning his Masters Degree.

While at Stout, Fred met Colleen Ceminsky of Montgomery, MN. After several years of dating the couple married in the summer of 1956. They moved to Waukegan, IL where Fred began his teaching career. In 1958 he and his family moved to Rochester. Once in Rochester Fred began teaching at Central Junior High.

Dr. Emil Heintz, Director of Adult Education at Rochester Junior College asked Fred and three others to plan and develop a post high school vocational school. The Vo-Tech was later merged by the state with the Junior College to become RCTC. Fred retired as Coordinator of the Trade, Industrial, and Technical area in 1991.

Fred was active in his youth in the YMCA and the Racine Kilties. He liked to fish, spend time at their cottage in Wisconsin, attend plays and musicals, design and build furniture, and buy/sell/trade electric trains.

Fred is survived by his wife of 70 years, Colleen; his children, David and Michael (Katie); and his three grandchildren, Thomas, Matthew (Bridget) and Taylor. Preceding him in death were his parents, his siblings and eldest son Bradley.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1315 12th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN, with a visitation from 10:30 am until the time of the mass. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hodges family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.