Mary Beth Dodson of Coronado, CA passed away on September 30, 2024.
Mary Beth was born on December 7, 1936 in York, Nebraska to Grant and Ellen Jane (Myers) Matson. They moved to North Platte in 1940.
She graduated from North Platte High School in 1954 and attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan. She married James J. Dodson and together they had four children: Kelly J. (Bonnie) Dodson, Erin (Robert) Call, Amy (David) Lugsch, and Jennifer (Phil) June.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Jennifer, and son-in-law Phil.
Grandchildren are Zachary, Cory (Kirsty) Call and Abby (Jacob) Feeley; Jessica, Kristin, Kevin and Ryan Dodson; Lindsey (Adam) Lugsch-Tehle, Kelsey Lugsch; Christopher and Alex June; Step-grandchildren Casey Hight, Liza Rawlings; and Sam, Philip and Stephanie June.
Great-grandchildren include Declyn and Blakely (Abby). Aylynn and Kyle (Lindsey). Step great-grandchildren include Brian, Easton and Blake (Liza), and Greyson and Lane (Casey).
Mary Beth was active in art circles in North Platte: President of Platter Painters, North Platte Art Guild and Art Studies League. She was a partner in Keepsakes Gallery and taught art classes at Mid-Plains College and in the Art and Gift Gallery. She was a signature member of the Nebraska State Art Organization. Twice she painted in Claude Monet's Garden in Giverny, France near Paris.
She wrote feature articles for the North Platte Telegraph and North Platte Bulletin, and published a book of poetry, "The Same Moon Rises".
Since moving to Coronado, CA in 2013, she participated in art exhibits in the Community Center, Spreckles and Art in the Park. Banners of her paintings were seasonally hung over Orange Avenue for several years.
She continued writing, belonging to the Coronado Scribes and copy editing for the Crown City Magazine.
Since 2023 Mary Beth lived in Fort Collins, CO with her daughter's family. (Erin and Bob Call.)
Graveside services will be held at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Brady, Nebraska at a later date.