Ethel Maero

Ethel Lillian Hodges Maero

Ethel L. Hodges was born in Logan, Utah on May 3, 1918 at the end of World War I. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 surrounded by her family.

She attended school in Logan, where as a high school senior she met the popular Utah State “Aggie” football player Tracy Maero.   Once she attended USU, a romance blossomed and they were married on October 29, 1937 during Homecoming.    

World War II began and Ethel was left alone with her children in Logan, Utah while Capt. Tracy was defending his country.

After the war, the family moved to Weston, Idaho where they were involved in a successful milling and trucking business, until one day the brakes failed on Tracy’s semi-truck . The crash caused severe injury.   To provide for the family and maintain the business, this mother of five young children began driving semi-trucks in Utah & Idaho ---- to the amazement of a rough, tough male dominated industry.

In 1952 the family moved to Salt Lake City so Tracy could work at the Veteran’s Hospital and continue his rehabilitation. Times were tough, but Ethel became a very good saleslady and worked several years with the IRS to assist her family.

In later years, Tracy & Ethel loved to travel as “Recycled Teenagers” in their motor home and would spend the winters in Why, Arizona.  It was a great place for the grandkids to visit.

Ethel had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the LDS Church.  She was committed to keeping the commandments and served as a wonderful example to her family.

 She is survived by  her children Mary Jo (Dean), Patricia (Doug), Zayda (Bobby) and Steven (Jodi), 45 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her siblings, her son Michael and a granddaughter Samantha.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 noon, Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East where friends may visit family from 11- 11:45 am prior to services.   Interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery.