Doris Dotson

1930 - 2009

Doris Dotson, 79, of North Platte, died Aug. 20, 2009, with her family at her side at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

Doris was born Jan. 25, 1930, at North Platte to Lowell Vernon "Jack" and Agnes Marie "Pat" McNeel Hedrick.
She grew up and attended schools in North Platte. At the age of 14, Doris started volunteering at the North Platte Canteen. On Aug. 9, 1951, Doris married Henry Wayne Dotson in North Platte and together they raised five children.
In 1986, they bought Andy's Pub and it became Doris' Tavern. She proudly displayed 612 pictures of servicemen and women on the walls. They sold the tavern and retired in 1999. For 20 years, she played Grandma Gilley with the NebraskaLand Days Frontier Review. Doris always made people feel welcomed.

Doris was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Ladies Auxiliaries of the Eagles and the American Legion, Unit No. 163. She had received the Dale Studley Award and was an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, game shows and gambling trips with her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Wayne of North Platte; her daughter, Kathy (Skeeter) Cobb of Cambridge; her sons, Pepper (Kathy) Dotson, Don Dotson, all of North Platte, Dan Dotson of Ft. Collins, Colo.; a daughter-in-law, Marie Dotson of Tamaqua, Pa.; 13 grandchildren, Aimee Dotson, Aaron Dotson, Sheila (Mark) Bigelow, Dianna (Matt) Brouillette, Dan Dotson, Megan Luebbe, Brady (Amber) Robirds, Misty Robirds, Sydnie Dotson Hansen, Tayler Dotson Hansen, Garrett Dotson, Justin (Sarah) Cobb and Tyler Cobb; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jack Hedrick of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jim (Mary) Hedrick of St. Paul, Bill (Hazel) Hedrick of Linden, N.C,; many nieces, nephews and other family; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, David Wayne Dotson; her parents; and a sister-in-law, Karen Hedrick.
Rosary service will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 24, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father Jim Golka celebrant. Inurnment will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell. Cremation was chosen.

Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, and Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore and before service times at the church. Memorials are suggested to the MS Foundation in memory of her son, David. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.