Edna Elizabeth Hodges

Edna Elizabeth (Lee) Hodges, 77, of Topeka, died July 23, 2015 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She was born in Nevada City, California on April 29, 1938 the daughter of Frank and Ora Lee (Burchette) Este. Edna received her BA degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and her Juris Doctorate from the Washburn Law School in 1973. She was a lobbyist in Kansas as a representative for the ACLU from 1963 to 1973. She was president of the NY Chapter of NYC for the ACLU from 1973 to 1976. Edna was a legal investigator for Schroer, Rice, Bryan and Lykins in Topeka from 1983 to 1986 while also being an associate professor of Business Law at Washburn University. From 1986 to 1989 she worked for Waggener, Arterburn and Standiferd. She also worked in the legal and finance divisions of the United States Coast Guard from 1986 to 1996 when she retired. Her achievements include working as a lobbyist with Governor Lamb of Colorado to get the New York Abortion Bill passed and with the Kansas Legislature to pass the Abortion Bill from 1963 to 1965. She enjoyed hiking and gardening. Edna was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. Edna married Robert M. Derman who preceded her in death. They had two children, Lisa Marie Derman and James Arnold Derman. She married Clifton Doyle Hodges who also predeceased her. She is survived by their son, Michael Este (Claudia)Hodges of Topeka, and her grandchildren Trent Michael (Mariah) Hodges of Carbondale, Hunter Hodges and step grandson, Hugo Gonzalez and one great grandson, Trivium Hodges. Edna will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends. A service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Grantville United Methodist Church, and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.