Mary Beth Nelson

Mary Beth Nelson, 63, of Tonganoxie, KS, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, surrounded by the people she loved most, after a courageous battle with triple-negative breast cancer.

Mary Beth was born on March 23, 1962, in Colby, KS, the daughter of Armond and Adeline (Kepka) Bechard. She graduated from Grinnell High School and later attended Fort Hays State University before dedicating 38 years to special education. Throughout her career, she supported students and families across multiple districts, concluding her work with Tonganoxie USD 464 and Basehor-Linwood USD 458, where her empathy, patience, and unwavering belief in every student left a lasting impact.

Mary Beth lived her life with a heart full of faith, kindness, and generosity. She always put others first-offering support, comfort, and love without being asked. Her gentle spirit, warm smile, and sense of humor could brighten even the heaviest day. She had a natural gift for lifting spirits, and her laughter will be deeply missed.

Family was everything to Mary Beth. She loved being a wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. Her daughters were her greatest pride, and her grandchildren brought indescribable joy into her life. She cherished every moment spent with them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Charla Moos; and her brother, Don Bechard.

She is survived by her loving husband, J.D. Nelson; her three daughters, Kelsey (Adam) Gotsche of Shawnee, KS, Kaylin Nelson of Overland Park, KS, and Kinsey Nelson of Overland Park, KS; her two grandchildren, Collins and Kyler Gotsche of Shawnee, KS; her brothers, Harold (Susan) Bechard of Salina, KS, Rich (Pam) Bechard of Lenexa, KS, Ray (Pam) Bechard of Lawrence, KS, and Armond (Cindy) Bechard of Leawood, KS; her siblings-in-law, Dennis Moos of Grinnell, KS, and Jan Bechard of Gardner, KS; and her parents-in-law, Richard and Barbara Nelson of Lawrence, KS. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, coworkers, and former students who loved her dearly.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 4:00–8:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tonganoxie, KS. A rosary will be said at 3:30pm prior to the Visitation. A memorial mass will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial following at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Mary Beth's name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for Mass intentions or to the PKD Foundation (Polycystic Kidney Disease), a cause meaningful to the family.

Mary Beth's legacy of love, faith, kindness, and laughter will continue to shine in the countless lives she touched.