Mary Gertrude (Clark) Hodapp was born on August 7, 1925 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph Erskin and Eliza Maria (McFarland) Clark. Mary entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Mary's early years were spent in the Sioux City area. She graduated from Lawton High School. Following high school she attended Lemars College where she earned her teaching certificate. She went on to teach school in Climbing Hill. She later worked as a bookkeeper at Spalding High School and also worked for Bishop's Cafeteria for 16 years.

On May 23, 1959 she was united in marriage to Emmet John Hodapp in Sioux City, Iowa. The couple resided in Granville where they enjoyed small town living. The couple was blessed with 21 years of marriage before Emmet's passing in 1981. Mary moved to Shenandoah, Iowa in 1992 to be closer to her siblings. She was a dedicated member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brothers Ralph and Leonard. Those left to cherish her memory include her sister Ethelyn Doyle and her husband Don of Imogene; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.