Levi J. Dodge

Levi J. Dodge, 93 years of age, of Beatrice, died July 26, 2015 at Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center in Beatrice. He was born November 26, 1921 at Shickley to Walter and Eva (Portwood) Dodge. He was baptized and confirmed at Stockholm Lutheran Church of rural Shickley. Levi graduated from Shickley High School in 1941. Levi entered the army in August 1942 and was part of the 3468th MM Ordinance Company. He served in Europe, landing at Utah Beach during the “D Day” invasion. Levi earned five battle stars fighting at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.  He was discharged in November 1945.

Levi worked as a mechanic for Slim Johnson Garage in Shickley and later owned and operated the garage with Keith Semke. On June 22, 1952, Levi married Verneal Fasse at St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice and they lived in Shickley until 1954 when they moved to Beatrice. He worked for Henderson Ford Motors and Burnham Motors for 27 years as a service manager. Levi began Levi’s Repair in 1981 and retired in 1995. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and had served on Parish Ed board and as a Sunday school teacher. Levi made several trips with the Lutheran Disaster Response team. He served over 50 years as a Boy Scout leader, Cub Scout master and Explorer Post leader. Levi was awarded Boy Scouts highest honors, the Lamb Award and the Silver Beaver. He was a charter member of the Beatrice Optimist Club, and also a member of the Eagles Club Aerie #531, American Legion Post #27, VFW Post #1077, Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #26, Vesper Chapter #9, Order of Eastern Star, Sesostris Shrine, Blue Valley Shrine, Blue Valley Shrine Firemen, Shrine Mustangs and the Gideons. He enjoyed family, working on cars, traveling and meeting friends at coffee.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Verneal; 4 sons, Verlyn Dodge and wife Karen, Dennis Dodge and wife Salomé, both of Beatrice, Dr. Rodney Dodge of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Douglas Dodge of Lincoln; 2 granddaughters, Alexandra Rose of Lincoln, Sara Dodge of Beatrice; step grandson, Jesse Clarke of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 2 step granddaughters, Amy Walker of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Angel Neal of Lincoln; 3 step great granddaughters, Jessie, Erica and Zoey; brother, Jack Dodge and wife Jeanene of Omaha; sister-in-law, Lucille Schmidt of Lincoln; and nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded death by his parents; 4 brothers, Wendell, Lyle, Galen, Edsel; 4 sisters, Nadine Dodge, Maurine Lassley, Rubie Lisec, Helcyon “Pat” Hann; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Schmidt.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Thursday, July 30, 2015 at St John Lutheran Church in Beatrice with Pastor Myron Meyer officiating. Interment with military rites will follow at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. Visitation will be held from 10am to 9 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2015 with family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 AM Thursday at the church. A memorial is suggested to the family’s choice with Bob and Annora Schmidt in charge. Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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