Ida Ruth Hegar Hodge

Ida Ruth (Hegar) Hodge, age 75, of Conroe, entered the Lord's presence early Wednesday morning, April 15, 2015 at Conroe Regional Medical Center in Conroe. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the West Brethren Church, with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Burial will follow at the West Brethren Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home. A life celebration will also take place Sunday, May 17, at Grace Baptist Church of Conroe. Ida Ruth was born September 5, 1939, in West, the daughter of Emily (Elles) and John A. Hegar, Sr. She attended schools in West and graduated from West High School in 1957. She then received a nursing degree from Scott & White Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. Ida Ruth was a registered nurse and one of the very first nurses hired for the original Conroe Hospital when it first opened, working for Dr. Deane Sadler. Ida Ruth spent nearly 50 years in nursing before retiring from Sadler Clinic in 2011. She loved Jesus Christ, was a lifelong member of the West Brethren Church and was active with Grace Baptist Church among other Conroe-area churches. She was also very involved with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Texas Czech Heritage Society, McLennan-Hill Czech Heritage Society, and Texas Czech Genealogical Society. Ida Ruth especially loved spending time with family, friends, and her pet dogs. Her many interests included reading, traveling, history, genealogy and antiquing. Ida Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Anna Vera Uptmor Spicer; and a niece, Jennifer Spaulding. Survivors include a brother, John Hegar, Jr.; sister, Dorothy Kocian; nephews, Barry Uptmor, Michael Hegar, Christopher Hegar and Michael Kocian; nieces, Martha Schoen and husband John, Leslie Hegedus, and Mari-Anne Gordon and husband Bruce; 11 great nephews and nieces plus one on the way; and many other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Michael Kocian, Barry Uptmor, Bruce Gordon, Sherry Imhoff, Daniel Moravec and Alvin Moravec. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Hegar, Christopher Hegar, Dr. George & Kathy Boyle and Don & Delores McAlister. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Brethren Church (West, TX) and Grace Baptist Church (Conroe, TX).