LuraLynn Hodges, 53, left us on March 28, 2020 at a Bismarck care center from complications of diabetes. Family services were held on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Noon at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison. A private family gathering will begin at Noon on Tuesday with a service to be held at 1:00 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison. A procession will leave the funeral home at 2:00 pm to the Congregational Cemetery in White Shield.  A private family gathering will begin at Noon on Tuesday with a service to be held at 1:00 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison. A procession will leave the funeral home at 2:00 pm to the Congregational Cemetery in White Shield.

LuraLynn was born on March 26, 1967 to Allan and Estelle (White) Hodges. She attended Head Start and kindergarten in White Shield, graduated from Garrison High School in 1985, and attended Concordia College where she earned a degree in Music Education. LuraLynn was a nanny for a family in Baltimore before beginning her teaching career. She taught at the Circle of Nations School in Wahpeton, ND and the Crow Creek Tribal School in Stephan, SD. Most recently she taught music at White Shield and Parshall elementary and high schools. While teaching in White Shield, LuraLynn took many students to the International Music Camp and regional and state music competitions. Lura's teaching career finished when she was diagnosed with diabetes and kidney failure in 2017.

LuraLynn served on the North Dakota United Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC). As a member of the EMAC, LuraLynn was instrumental in sharing the values of her Union with Native American, African American, and Hispanic teachers across North Dakota. Her work on EMAC resulted in increased minority membership. In addition, LuraLynn represented White Shield Education Association at several state and national meetings. She was a committed education professional who always put her students first.

She leaves behind 2 sons, Jacob and Gabriel Hodges, a daughter, Angeline SeeWalker, and brothers A.J. Hodges of Douglas, ND, Shannon Hodges of Garrison, ND, and Edward Hodges of Bismarck, ND, and sister Sharon Hodges of Greeley, CO, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Lura was also godmother to Charles Dobbs Jr.

LuraLynn was preceded in death by her parents, Allan Hodges and Estelle White, an infant sister, Tina Marie Hodges, maternal grandparents John and Florence White, paternal grandparents Elmer and Arlene Hodges.