Merwin Dodson

Merwin Dodson, 93, of Venango, Nebraska, passed away December 29, 2025, at Regent Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Holyoke, Colorado.

Merwin was born December 16, 1932, in Holyoke, Colorado, to Ralph and Hazel (Hopkins) Dodson. He went on to attend school at Venango before studying at Hastings College and CU Boulder.

He married Jo Ann Wieland on February 8, 1953, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Venango. The couple was blessed with two children, Mike and Deb.

Merwin proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, where he worked as a helicopter maintenance instructor, primarily on Hueys. He was stationed in San Marcos, Texas, during his service. Merwin received an early discharge after his dad was involved in a farming accident, and he headed home to the farm at Venango.

Merwin was a farmer by trade and vocation. He was deeply involved in the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, serving in leadership roles at both the local and national levels. He also managed the local co-op station for a time and later served on its board. He also custom-harvested from Oklahoma to Montana for a number of years. A licensed private pilot, Merwin kept an airstrip and hangar on the family farm and especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren flying over the years.

Merwin was also an avid car enthusiast, with a particular fondness for classic cars, including a 1940 Mercury he began restoring in 1959. He learned his automotive mechanic skills during his military service and maintained that passion and skill set throughout his life. In his younger years, he became an accomplished scuba diver, diving during the early 1950s while serving in Texas. He was among the first divers to explore Jacob's Well.

Merwin was an active member of the Lions Club in Venango and was the oldest member at the time of his passing. He and Jo Ann were also founding members of the Flatlander Car Club. Merwin was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post 270.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Myron Dodson, and sister, Norma Jean McCormick.

Merwin is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jo Ann Dodson; children, Mike (Mary) Dodson of Venango, Deb (Robert) Bounds of Seward; grandchildren, Adrienne (Aaron) Turner of Eatonville, WA, Nate (Carrie) Dodson of Grant, and Megan (Johnathon) McKernan of Lincoln, and Jon (Mary) Bounds of Lincoln; and great-grandchildren, Shane (Sydney) Ourada, Danica Turner, Cora and Abby Dodson, Lauren and Kendall McKernan, and Henry Bounds.

A memorial has been established in Merwin's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

A celebration of life service with military honors will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venango, with Rev. Kurt Hatteberg officiating. Private inurnment will be in the Venango Cemetery.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.