Carolyn Sue (Hirning) Hodges, 74, of Ritzville, Wash., passed away on Dec. 6 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Carolyn was born April 6, 1951 to Arthur and Lorentina Hirning in Ritzville. She graduated from Ritzville High School in 1969. While in high school, Carolyn occasionally helped out at the family business, Lucky Lane Drive-In, which the Hirnings operated from 1967 to 1975, when they retired.

After graduating high school, Carolyn was married to Robert Edelen for seven years. They had a son, Edward, and lived in various locations throughout their marriage, including Arizona, Oklahoma and Germany.

After Carolyn returned to Ritzville, she had a daughter, Amy. She also had joined the Washington State Department of Licensing and worked for the agency through the 1990s. After that, she held jobs in home health care and retail prior to retiring at 62.

Carolyn was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a devoted mother and enjoyed spending time with her children.

Carolyn was quick witted with a good sense of humor. She liked crocheting and her doilies won a handful of awards over the years at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair.

She also had a thirst for knowledge and often spent time reading and conducting genealogy research, which she shared with family members.

Carolyn loved animals and adopted several throughout her life, including dogs, cats and a rabbit.

Carolyn was a quiet but powerful force of goodness. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that lives on in all of us.

Carolyn is survived by daughter Amy Edelen of Tempe, Arizona; son Edward Edelen, of Ritzville, Washington; granddaughter Kayla Emerson; two great-granddaughters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Will Hodges; parents Arthur and Lorentina Hirning; sisters Kathleen (Arlo) Ottmar, Jean (Jerry) Weise and brother James Hirning.

Danekas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 606 Weber Ave in Ritzville. Friends and family are invited to attend and share memories of Carolyn.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 606 Weber Ave. in Ritzville or the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to Assured Hospice in Moses Lake as well as Dr. Charles “Marty” Sackmann and staff at Hometown Family Medicine for their care and compassion.