Medora A. Hoge

Medora Davidson Hoge, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Monday, January 3, 2011, at her home, following her courageous struggle with ovarian cancer. She was born on Wednesday, July 2, in Merriam, Kansas, the daughter of John Archibald Davidson and Mabel (Brackmann) Davidson. She moved from Merriam to Overland Park, Kansas, prior to moving to Ottawa in 1990. Medora graduated from Shawnee Mission High School with the class of 1948. She worked as the secretary at First Christian Church in Ottawa and was a dance instructor whose career included: 2002-2006: taught yoga for the Ottawa Community Arts Council, Ottawa, Ks; 2005: choreographed “The Trojan Women” Ottawa University Theatre; 2000 – 2003: taught modern dance for children, summer classes OCAC; 1999-2000: taught low-impact aerobics for the Albuquerque Senior Centers, Albuquerque, New Mexico; 1991-1999: owner and instructor of ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, low-impact aerobics, Davidson Dance Studio, Ottawa; 1990-1993: taught low-impact aerobics for the 50+ program, Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department, Johnson County, Ks; 1989-1991: taught ballet, tap, and gymnastics, Visitation Parochial School, Kansas City, Mo; 1989-1991: taught ballet, tap, and gymnastics, St. Agnes Parochial School, Fairway, Ks; 1950-1989: owner and instructor of ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, ballroom, low-impact aerobics, Davidson Dance Studio, 3928 West 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, Ks; 1972-1974: choreographed Kansas City Royals Banquet Shows, Kansas City, Mo; 1971-1973: choreographed outdoor musical shows for Johnson County (Kansas) Parks and Recreation (“Oliver”, “The King and I”, “Oklahoma”, “Show Boat”, “The Rainmaker”, “Hello Dolly”, “South Pacific”, “Gypsy”); 1970 – 1971: taped for cable television 65 half-hour ballet class lessons for children entitled “Medora and Me”; 1957-1959: taught jazz on the national faculty of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, Inc., in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago; 1957-1959: taught ballet and jazz for N.A.D.A.A. city chapters in St. Paul, St. Louis, Omaha, Tulsa, and Dallas. She was active in the theatre community her whole life as a director, actress, and choreographer in several productions with: the Johnson County Parks and Recreation “Theatre in the Park”; Kansas City Young Matrons of Kansas City, Missouri; Fine Arts Single of Johnson County, Kansas; ACT! Ottawa!; Ottawa University Theatre; Baldwin City Community Theatre; National Public Radio in Albuquerque, NM; BC Productions of Baldwin City, Kansas; Lawrence Community Theatre, Lawrence, Kansas; and C.D. Productions of Ottawa. She was a partner in C.D. Productions of Ottawa. She was a member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, Inc., and she formed Crackerjack Children’s Theatre for the Ottawa Community Arts Council. She was also an accomplished sculpture. She sculpted the clay models for the iron work for restoration of the Winder Building, Washington, D.C. and sculpted a bas relief of the Watts Mill which is on the bridge at 103rd & State Line, KC, Missouri. Survivors include: Son-Harry Lee Lydick, Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Leadville, Colorado Son-Robin Louis Lydick and his wife, Renee, of Albuquerque, New Mexico Grandchildren (10)-Christopher Lee Lydick of Seattle, WA; Geoffrey Lydick of Overland Park, KS; Rachel Lydick of Kansas City, MO; Kathryn Lydick, Overland Park, KS; Deanna Lydick of Ottawa, KS; Anna Lydick of Overland Park, KS; Theresa Lydick of Ottawa, KS; Justin Lydick of Albuquerque, NM; Destiny Lydick of Albuquerque, NM; Aidrian Lydick of Albuquerque, NM She is preceded in death by her father, John Archibald Davidson, her mother, Mabel (Brackmann) Davidson, and a brother,John Davidson. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church, 1045 S. Hickory, in Ottawa, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2011. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Hoge after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, at the Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends 7:00 to 8:00 Wednesday evening. Her casket will remain closed. CEMETERY: A private burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Medora Hoge Memorial Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.