Mildred E. Dodson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mildred E. Dodson, age 99 of Independence, Missouri formerly of Higginsville, Missouri died on Monday, January 16, 2012, at Golden Living Center of Independence. Born Saturday, January 20, 1912 in Bogard, Missouri, she was the daughter of the late William Erwin Marple and the late Anna Labelle (Stipes) Marple. She graduated from the 8th grade at Oak Hill School in 1925 and attended High School in Bogard. She married Ralph B. Dodson October 17, 1931 and they lived in the Mandeville and Bogard area, moving to Colorado in the 1940's. In 1949, they moved to Missouri, making their home in Hardin. Ralph preceded her in death May 31, 1980. Also preceded in death is a brother, Bill Marple; and four sisters, Marie Gregg, Helen Tucker, Dorothy Jones, and Ollie Dodson. Mildred worked a short time at Russell Stover's Candy factory in Kansas City, two years at Woolworth Department Store in Colorado, 13 years at Dunbrooke Shirt Comnay in Lexington, Missouri, three years at Lake City, four years at Ferguson Plastic Company in Richmond, Missouri before serving as City Clerk and Collector two years for the City of Hardin, Missouri until her retirement in 1976. She lived most of her life in Hardin, moving to Higginsville in 1983, then moving to Independence in 2007 to live with her son and daughter-in-law. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Higginsville. where she was a member of the United Methodist Women, quilter's group of the church and helped in the Church library. She kept active with maintaining her own home and gardening and making hand-made quilts for her family. Surviving are two sons, Norman William (Ruth) Dodson, Sr. of Independence, Missouri; Leslie Dean (Nita) Dodson of Williford, Arkansas; one daughter, A. Darlene (Bill) Goettling of Higginsville, Missouri; one sister, Frances Henry of Bogard, Missouri. Also surviving are 4 grandsons, Norman W. Jr. (Regina) Dodson, Bryan Bennett (Janey) Dodson, Michael William (Mary Jo) Goettling and John Christian (Denise) Goettling; 6 great grandchildren,Kristin and Shane Dodson of Independence; Nicholas and Carter Goettling of Blue Springs; Lacy and Coy Goettling of Independence; 8 step-great grandchildren; 8 step- great great grandchildren. A Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 20, 2012 at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kyle Evans officiating and Rev. Wayne Nelson, assisting. Interment will be in City Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, at Hoefer Funeral Home, 1600 Main St., Higginsville, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be sent to Crossroads Hospice, 9237 Ward Pkwy Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114. Casketbearers are Norman Dodson, Bryan Dodson, Michael Goettling, John Goettling, Richard Dodson, and Chester Dodson. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Henry, Nicholas Goettling and Shane Dodson. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hoeferfuneralhome.com

Mildred E. Dodson

January 20, 1912 - January 16, 2012