Marion Marie (Nash) Hodde

Marion Marie (Nash) Hodde, 79, of Lincoln, NE (formerly Nebraska City), passed away on April 30, 2026 surrounded by her daughters, Andrea Marie and Marcia Raye. She was Andrea’s shining star and Marcia Raye’s “sunshine.”

Marion was born on June 23, 1946 in Des Moines, IA, the daughter of Marion John “Jack” and Berniece Viola (Sullivan) Nash. She grew up in small towns such as Mitchellville, Kellerton, and finally Hamburg, IA in 1958. She graduated from Hamburg High School with the Class of 1964. 

Marion met Ray Lee Hodde after moving to Hamburg and the two were united in marriage on March 7, 1965 at the United Methodist Church in Hamburg with her father Rev. M. J. “Jack” Nash officiating the service. The two started their life together on the farm. To this union two daughters were born: Andrea and Marcia. Marion’s favorite role was being their mama.

Marion started playing piano at the incredible age of three, practicing for three hours daily, sometimes music by Bach and Chopin, under the supervision of her mother, Berniece. She played for her first wedding at the tender age of 9, and for her first funeral at the age of 11. This began a lifetime of playing for these two types of events, and in bringing joy to the newlyweds and comfort to the grieving families. Marion played for several churches, including the Methodist Church and United Trinity Church in Hamburg, directing the Bell, Junior, and Chancel Choirs. She added piano lessons (60 per week since 1981), playing for the Nebraska City Junior and Senior High Schools, musicals such as “The Music Man,” “Camelot,” “Oklahoma,” “The Sound of Music,” etc. and vocal contests, honor bands, music festivals, Bible schools, graduations, rotary, PEO, anything and nearly everything. She performed with the Apple Corps, Belles-A-Peelin, Country Friends Band, and other Barbershop Groups, the Elks Club, St. Cecilia Choir, and also at the Suzuki Music Festival, and the Peru State Piano Extravaganza. She called her popular music “Dinnertainment,” which is what she played when she performed on the Baby Grand for evenings or brunch at the Lied Conference Center and Hotel in Nebraska City. After moving to Legacy Estates, she enjoyed playing for sing a longs and “Name That Tune.”

Other awards and honors include: President of PEO Chapter DI in Hamburg, 1978-79, Awarded Honorary Chevron of Arts from Nebraska City School at the Fine Arts Awards, Southwest Iowa Honor Band Accompanist, and Outstanding Music Student Award – HHS 1964 (graduated in 1964). 

From 1965-68, Marion worked at the Hamburg Hospital as a Phlebotomist and other duties as needed. She completed a Medical Training Course in Omaha right after high school graduation. She set up the medical records library, built from scratch, in Clarinda Iowa. She later worked for the VF Mall in Nebraska City and helped to open the Vanity Fair store in 1990. She also operated the switchboard at the Lied Center in Nebraska City.

She was received into the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil, 2016, St. John’s in Lincoln, NE. She was baptized, confirmed, and had first communion on March 26, 2016 by Fr. Lyle Johnson.

Marion had recorded piano music at Startracker Studios in Lincoln. And her favorite quote was, “Life is like a piano; what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” Marion and her music were and are the melody of her family’s lives.

She is survived by her daughters: Andrea Scott of Lincoln and Marcia (Robert Moyer) Elshire of Nebraska City; grandchildren: Brandon (Malarie) Elshire, Hayley (Collin) Elshire, Cameron Ray Elshire, Nicholas (Alaina) Scott, and Thomas (Emily SoWel) Nash; great-grandchildren: Conor Lee, Elsie May, Nolan Dru, and Natalie Payge; sister-in-law: Nancy Nash of Des Moines, IA, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray Lee in 2005; her parents; and brother Paul Nash.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marion Marie (Nash) Hodde, please visit our floral store.