Zane Ray Dodge

1928-2021

Zane Ray Dodge, 92, formerly of Gilman, was called home on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 at his daughter’s home in Janesville under the care of Agrace Hospice and his daughter, Virginia, with his beloved wife, Mary Jane, by his side. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Christ’s Community Church of Jump River with Pastor Joey Olsen officiating. Burial will follow in the Hannibal Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

He was born on Aug. 7, 1928 to the late Jerome and Alice (Parsons) Dodge. Zane grew up in the Hannibal area and attended area schools. He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Close on May 3, 1952 on the family farm in Hannibal in a double ceremony with his brother, Charles, and his bride, Phyllis Kraehnke.

Zane began his working career at the age of 16, weighing milk for the Medford Co-op Creamery in Hannibal. At the age of 19, he moved to Waukesha, WI, where he met his bride. During his time in Waukesha, Zane worked as a molder in a foundry and as a bus mechanic for the city. It was while working at the bus company, that he began to hone his skill of fixing things, which proved beneficial to him later in life. Zane and Mary Jane had three children in Waukesha, Wayne, Warren and Barbara, before returning to the Hannibal family farm in 1959. Once on the farm, they were blessed with three more, Susan, Elwin and Virginia. Zane enjoyed polka music (especially the Big Joe Polka Show), politics and history, often saying “Those who deny history, are destined to repeat it”. His faith in God was strong.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Jane; his children, Wayne Dodge of Chippewa Falls, Warren (Cheryl) Dodge of Gilman, Barbara Dodge of New Brighton, Minn., Susan Elphick of Marshall and Virginia (Glen) Dawson of Janesville; grandchildren, Denise, Renee, Jeremy, Joshua, Shauna, Ryan, and Victoria; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Beatrice Kohn; numerous nieces; and nephews; and many dear friends, all whom he loved and cherished.

Zane was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Elwin in 2019; brothers, Robert, Charles, John and Roy; one sister, Gladys; and one great-grandchild, Nathaniel.

Plombon Funeral service assisted the family with arrangements.

Paid Obituary 99803