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Lillian Lessly (Seivert) Hodgson, former Freedom resident passed away on July 3, 2026, in her home at Providence Place, Woodward, OK at the age of 94 years. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 8, 2026, at the Freedom Methodist Church with Reverend Mark Kinkel officiating. Graveside services will then follow at the Freedom Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.
Lillian Lessly (Seivert) Hodgson was born in her grandmother Hilda Reutlinger's home on the family ranch near Freedom, OK on February 23, 1932. She was the daughter of Seth and Alice (Reutlinger) Seivert. Lillian grew up on that ranch, attended Pleasant Hill (a one-room country school) and then graduated from Freedom High School in 1949. Lillian was united in marriage to Harold DeWayne Hodgson on June 5, 1949, at DeWayne's parents' home near Lookout, Oklahoma. They made their first home near Lookout, OK and then lived near Hamilton, Georgia, Protection, Kansas and then thereafter for most of her life on the ranch north of Freedom. Lillian was a homemaker, rancher, volunteer and owner of several businesses in and around Freedom. Often, she handled several of these endeavors all at the same time! She truly had a "life well lived". Her legacy may be in showing us that a life-long devotion to family, faith and country yields many rewards. She made a positive and lasting impression on the many of us who were blessed to have known her. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.
Lillian was a beautiful and vivacious red head with an adventurous spirit. She was a good student in school and a standout basketball player on her high school team. She was bold and fearless. Lillian was voted Freedom Rodeo queen and on a dare from a classmate once rode a bull at that same rodeo. Lillian was a strong woman who was never shy about voicing her opinion on lots of subjects. She was a wonderful mother who made many personal sacrifices so that her children might enjoy even better outcomes than her own. Lillian was DeWayne's partner in every sense of the word for 75 years until his death in 2025.
Lillian relished her time with old and new friends. Her travels with DeWayne were far and wide (and often involved fishing!). She was a life-long advocate of leaving the land "better than we found it". She was honored many times over for her work in support of school activities such as 4-H, FFA, FHA, and various other civic and religious organizations. Lillian's cooking skills were legendary. She never seemed too busy to give her progeny life lessons about survival skills as varied as sewing buttons, doctoring animals or making wise financial investments. Lillian's time well spent with family and friends was her greatest joy. She was our family matriarch in every sense of the word. Our loss is great, but the family considers itself fortunate to have had her in our lives for so many years.
Lillian loved her Lord and Savior. She was formerly a long-time member of the Freedom Methodist Church and when she and DeWayne moved to Woodward later in life they became devoted members of the Faith United Methodist Church in Woodward. Her church families have always been an important part of her lifelong commitment to living a Christian life.
Surviving Lillian are two daughters: Starla June Oldham and husband Mike; DeWana Lea Leonard and husband Monty; two sons: Terry Delayne Hodgson; Rocky Dean Hodgson and wife Joan; 24 grandchildren and their spouses; 31 great grandchildren and a spouse; 6 great-great grandchildren; and other beloved relatives and many, many friends. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents Seth and Alice Seivert, parents-in-law Alfred and Mildred Hodgson, brother and sister-in-law Eddie and Grace Seivert, grandsons Zachary DeWayne Craig and Brandon Knight; and, great-grandson Cooper Kirby Craig.
Lillian's family wishes to acknowledge the love and affection shown to mother by Renee Cudd and Lori Reddoch, both of whom she considered part of her extensive family. There have been so many others such as caregivers, neighbors, associates and fellow church members who provided friendship and comfort to her and we appreciate them all. Those of us she left behind are forever grateful to each and every one of them.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Freedom Museum or the Freedom Methodist Church with the funeral home accepting the contributions.