Gerald F Hoddinott

Gerald F Hoddinott

November 29, 1941 - May 31, 2026

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Obituary

MADISON - Gerald (Jerry) Francis Hoddinott, age 84, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on November 29, 1941, in Markesan, Wis., the son of Francis and Florence (Elvers) Hoddinott.


Jerry graduated from Markesan High School in 1959 and later earned his degree from Ripon College in Economics. He entered the Army during this time in college and achieved the rank of Captain. After meeting on a blind date, he married Alana (Lani) Worzalla on April 29, 1967, in Stevens Point, to whom he was married for 59 loving years.


Jerry worked as a Personnel Director for the Department of Revenue, retiring in 2000. He was a talented public speaker and an active member of several organizations, including IPMA-HR for 50 years, the Lions Club for more than 50 years, St. Maria Goretti Council for three years, and the Madison USBC Bowling Association for 20 years. Throughout his involvement, he held numerous leadership positions and dedicated countless hours of service to these organizations.


Jerry was a gifted bowler, achieving a perfect 300 game. He was a gregarious individual and enjoyed dinners with family and friends, playing cards, golf, softball, visiting casinos, and trying his luck with the lottery. He treasured fishing trips to Canada with his sons and brother-in-law, Russ. Jerry loved driving and especially looked forward to his annual family trips: camping in St. Germain and driving the entire family to Sarasota, Florida. He was an excellent dancer and cherished traveling with Lani. Together, they enjoyed several cruises and seeking “good trouble” with their dear friends, the Thiels and the Schraders. Jerry was a devoted Catholic who faithfully attended Mass and enjoyed gathering for pizza afterward on Saturday evenings with his family.  


Jerry is survived by his wife, Lani; children, Kelley Grover, Kim Snyder, Krieg (Mary) Hoddinott and Kurt (Jennifer) Hoddinott; grandchildren, Alli, Carly, Kevin, Stephen, Brian, Brad, Tyler, Abigail and Cameron; his cat, Sophie; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Katie Snyder; sister, Carol Kesich; brother, Gary Hoddinott; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Natalie and Russ Streveler.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at QUEEN OF APOSTLES PARISH, ST. DENNIS CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, with the Rev. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.
 


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420



Events

12
Visitation
Fri Jun 12, 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Queen of Apostles Parish, St. Dennis Church • 505 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI 53714
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12
Mass of Christian Burial
Fri Jun 12, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Queen of Apostles Parish, St. Dennis Church • 505 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI 53714
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12
Luncheon After Service
Fri Jun 12, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Queen of Apostles Parish, St. Dennis Church • 505 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI 53714
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12
Graveside Service
Fri Jun 12, 2026 @ 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Resurrection Cemetery • 2705 Regent St., Madison, WI 53705
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12
Military Honors
Fri Jun 12, 2026 @ 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM CDT
Resurrection Cemetery • 2705 Regent St., Madison, WI 53705
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Memories

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Gerald
AH
A Memorial Tree was planted for Gerald Francis Hoddinott
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
K
Kelley
Other •
I will miss you, Dad
MR
Mary Lou Reisch
Other •
Why do I always learn so much about a good friend and neighbor from obituaries?! Never knew that Jerry loved to dance…my Ed detests it. And, that Jerry achieved a perfect bowling score? We were blessed to have Jerry and his family in our lives in the Greentree neighborhood!
RZ
Ross & Judy Zanto
Other •
We are thinking of you during this difficult loss.
RZ
Ross and Judy Zanto
Other •
Jerry and I were high school classmates at Markesan High School, Class of 1959. Outside of class reunions we didn’t see each other as Jerry and Lani lived on the west side and my wife and I live on the north side of Madison. We just recently reconnected as I ran into Jerry one day and found out that he and Lani now lived in SunPrairie. We immediately set a lunch date, and had a wonderful visit reminiscing and catching up with past memories. In fact, we had such a good time we set another lunch date for a few weeks later. We were shocked and truly saddened when we received Lani’s call informing us that our lunch date had to be canceled because Jerry had passed away. Our Deepest Sympathy to Lani and family. Jerry was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed. Ross and Judy Zanto
CE
Charlie Esser
Other •
I worked at Wisc Dept of Revenue as an I.T. manager for many of the years Gerald was there. We worked together on many personel issues his Bureau was responsible for. I never worked with a nicer person. I remember at a Manager's conference during the night off, we were relaxing at a casino and Gerald was at a Tyme macine withdrawing money. He told me that was the only machine that he could get money out of. I never forgot that. As Roy Rogers sang, Happy Trails to you, until we meet again. Peace to you Gerald.

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