Julie Kay Hodge

Julie Kay Hodge, the daughter of Paul William and Sharon Kay (Benton) Kool, was born Dec. 3, 1968, in Newton. A lifelong resident of Newton, Julie graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1987. She went on to earn a degree from DMACC. On May 4, 1991, Julie was united in marriage with Reggie L. Hodge at the First United Methodist Church in Newton.

Julie worked as a manager for Maurice’s, in human resources for Iowa Telecom and for Skiff Medical Center. For two years, she was owner-operator of Uncle Nancy’s in Newton. Julie’s focus and love was for her family and children. She loved family vacations, traveling, camping, fishing, mushroom hunting, shopping, and getting pedicures and manicures with Kaci. She enjoyed coaching at Marshalltown Area Tumbling and time spent with good friends. Julie always had a good sense of humor, even in the midst of her illness.

Julie died on Friday, May 9, 2014, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 45 years old. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. Those left to honor Julie’s memory include her husband, Reggie of Newton; her son, Brandon of Newton; her daughter, Kaci of Newton; her parents, Paul and Sharon Kool of Newton; her brother, Brian Kool of Boscobel, Wis.; her grandmother, Grace Benton Dickey of Newton; and her many friends.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Memorials may be designated in Julie's name to assist her children with their education. Online condolences may be left at www.pencefh.com