Maryetta Joan Hodgskiss Obituary
Obituary, Maryetta Hodgskiss
Maryetta Hodgskiss
Retired nurse, ranchwife and homemaker and longtime 4-H supporter Maryetta Joan (Lahr) Hodgskiss, 92, of Choteau died May 12, 2022, surrounded by love and her family at Benefis Teton Medical Center.
A viewing will be held May 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gorder Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau. The funeral will be May 21 at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Choteau with a reception to follow.
Maryetta was born Jan. 15, 1930, in Denton, to Fred and Etta Lahr who homesteaded there. Growing up on the farm in Denton, she participated in 4-H, winning a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, Illinois, for Leadership. She graduated from Denton High School in May of 1948.
Maryetta attended and graduated from Montana State University earning a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing in December 1953. She was very proud to have had the highest score in her graduating class on her nursing test. During her time in Bozeman, she worked for Student Health at MSU and in the Bozeman hospital. She also worked at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls in the maternity ward in the summers.
In the spring of 1954, Maryetta took a nursing position at the hospital in Choteau. Shortly after moving to Choteau, she met Henry Wilson Hodgskiss, a World War II veteran and local rancher. They were set up on a blind date by mutual friends, and were married several months later on Aug. 8, 1954 in Denton. Maryetta and Wilson raised four children together on their ranch on Deep Creek where they raised beef cattle and in the early years, sheep. They were married for 43 years until Wilson’s death.
Faith was a large part of Maryetta’s life and she professed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Maryetta spent much of her time teaching Sunday school, leading 4-H and Girl Scouts, and as an active member of the United Methodist Women’s Organization, serving as president.
She also was very involved in the local Investment Club and the Red Hat Society. Maryetta was a past Matron in the Order of Eastern Star and an active member of the Choteau Nile Club. She also worked at the Red Cross blood drive for many years.
Her biggest passions in life were her family, volunteering, traveling, and genealogy. She enjoyed cooking, reading, embroidery and spending time with her kids and grandkids. Maryetta loved to play cards and games.
Maryetta attended many 4-H fairs, FFA events, sport games and events as possible and was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She especially loved being included on family trips. One of her favorite trips was to Disney World and a Disney cruise where she was able to go snorkeling and ride roller coasters with her grandchildren.
Maryetta spent the last three years of her life at Choteau Beehive Assisted Living Home where she received exceptional care and was loved by the staff like family.
Maryetta is survived by her brother, Fred Lahr of Lewistown; her children, Donna Johnson of Hot Springs, Bonnie (Henry) Thies of Cut Bank, Carol (Bruce) Wilson of Bozeman and Lyle (Beth Ann) Hodgskiss of Choteau; her grandchildren, Janel Johnson of St. Regis, Charlene Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amber Wilson of Bozeman, Logan Hodgskiss of Vienna, Austria, Taylor Hodgskiss of Chicago, Connor Hodgskiss of Choteau, Sarah Bock of Lewistown and Sarah Thies of Lafayette, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews who were an important part of her life as well as many cousins and extended family members.
She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Helen “Ike” Hodgskiss of Choteau and was blessed with many lifelong friends, including Billie Lou Arnot of Utica from nursing school and her special friend Cecil Cole of Choteau.
Maryetta was preceded in death by her sister Marjorie Kraft and half-brothers Raymond Brown and Alvin Brown.
Memorials are suggested to Teton County 4-H, the Choteau Education Foundation or Benefis TMC Foundation.
